4-H Update

Volume 15, Number 11

Dates to Remember:

• May 28:  University Holiday, offices closed
• June 1:  Colorado 4-H Foundation Golf Tournament, Pelican Lakes Golf & Country Club, Windsor
• June 1:  Youth leadership and Citizenship applications due
• June 19-21:  State 4-H Conference, Colorado State University Campus
• June 23 – 30:  Citizenship-Washington Focus, National 4-H Center, Chevy Chase, MD
• July 4:  University Holiday, offices closed

HOST FAMILIES NEEDED – 4-H JAPANESE EXCHANGE – 2012

Host families are needed for 65 inbound Japanese boys and girls, ages 12-21, coming to Colorado through the 2012 inbound Colorado-Japan Teen Exchange.  Hosting dates are July 23 – August 18 OR July 25 – August 18.

This program is coordinated through Colorado State University and has been running since 1975.

Host families do not need to be a member of 4-H and may reside in urban, suburban, or rural settings throughout Colorado.  They may share a room with their host sibling.  Matches are made on the basis of same sex and close in age, as well as some common interests.  Note:  Host siblings may be as young as nine to match with a 12 year old Japanese participant.

All participants are 100 percent medically covered with 4-H insurance and may participate in host family vacations, camping trips, youth camps.  They are expected to become part of the family, including attending church, helping with household chores, follow house rules, and participate in other aspects of US daily life.  The program covers costs for the exchange.  Each participant has his/her own spending money.

Japanese participants will attend an orientation in Denver before going to host families and a debriefing in Denver before returning to Japan. Orientation for host families is done in Denver on the same day as delegate pickup.   Carpools are planned to transport delegates to homes if host families are not able to attend orientation or pick up their exchange student.  A complete orientation packet including program information, culture information, and complete application of the delegate they are hosting will be mailed to host families.

Host siblings have the option of traveling to Japan to participate in a four or eight-week exchange while staying with Japanese host families and learning Japanese culture.

THE GREATEST SUCCESS OCCURS WHEN FAMILIES TREAT THE DELEGATES AS A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY, RATHER THAN A “GUEST.”

Please contact Courtney Loflin, 4-H International Programs, Colorado State University, 970.491.2711, or email courtney.loflin@colostate.edu

- Ellen Butler

2012 Inbound IFYEs to Colorado – Hosting Opportunity

The Colorado 4-H Foundation (former 4-H Youth Fund) was initially established in 1952 to support two programs – IFYE (International Four-H Youth Exchange) and CWF (Citizenship Washington Focus).  Colorado began participating in the IFYE program in 1951, although the program was developed in 1948 as a post-war peace effort involving 4-H farm youth from around the world.  Currently, IFYE participants come from countries on every continent.  Colorado’s IFYE program is the strongest in the United States.

Austria – Franz Winkler  (male – age 29) – June 18 – July 7.  Speaks German and  English.  Hobbies are biking, running, playing football, skiing, cross country skiing, concerts, theater, choir, traditional Austrian dance, and Landjugen (4-H) activities.  His parents own a farm (grassland, grain, corn, forest).  He attended an agricultural school and finished as a skilled worker, followed by studying the occupation as a joiner and finished also as a skilled worker.  (No allergies/ nonsmoker)

Austria – Christine Dumfart  (female -  age 21) – July 9 – August 16.  Speaks German and English.  Hobbies are clarinet, friends, sports, running, biking, hiking, skiing, climbing, and Landjugen (4-H) activities.  She is interested in nature, sightseeing.  Her parents own a farm with livestock and hay.  She attends polytechnic school.  (No allergies/nonsmoker)

Finland – Annina Kirsti Marjatta (female – age 28) – June 18 – July 30.  Speaks Finnish, English, Swedish.  Hobbies are handicrafts, travelling, childcare, nature, 4-H, sheep, goats, flowers, horseback riding.  She has lived her entire life in the middle of the forest.  She is a teacher at a vocational school.  (No allergies/nonsmoker)

Germany – Maximilian Schulze Esking (male – age 24) – June 18 – July 23, July 29 – September 10.  Speaks German and English.  Hobbies are squash, soccer, badminton, piano, friends, playing poker.  He is interested in the American way of farming, especially large units of livestock and crop land.  He grew up on a family pig farm.  They also grew wheat, corn, barley.  He finished his agricultural apprenticeship in 2009 and is current studying agriculture, finishing in 2015.  (No allergies/nonsmoker)
Note:  Maximilian will attend IFYE conference in Nebraska on July 24-28.

Greece – Vladimiros Topalidis (male – age 17) June  18 – July 30.   Speaks Greek and English.  Hobbies are reading, friends, skiing, soccer, basketball, painting, studying, biking, dancing, cooking, music.  He would like to make new friends, see national parks, go mountain biking, rock climbing, and visit ghost towns and ancient ruins.   Father is a farmer raising peaches, apricots, wheat.  He is a student at the American Farm School where he has attended animal and gardening workshops (including milking cows, gathering eggs, engineering, painting and hydraulics classes).   (No allergies/nonsmoker)

Switzerland –Margrit Stalder  (female age 24 – June 18 – September 10.  Speaks German, French, and English.  Hobbies are music, skiing, mountain biking, rifle shooting riding horses, walking, and skiing.  Other areas of interest are farming and agriculture.  Parents operate a farm with milk cows.  She is currently a retail assistant and hopes to take over her parents’ farm in the future.  (No allergies/nonsmoker)

Taiwan – Ya-Lan Cheng (female age 35) – June 18 – July 23.    Speaks Taiwanese, Mandarin, and English.  Hobbies are music, reading, handicrafts, sewing, singing.  Other areas of interest are agriculture, crop production methods, teaching methods, 4-H clubs.   She lived for five years on a small mango farm.  She is currently a teacher.  (No allergies/ nonsmoker)

Inbound IFYEs from Austria, Finland, Germany, Greece,  Switzerland, and Taiwan will attend National IFYE Orientation in Wichita, Kansas, prior to arriving in Colorado.  They will also attend State 4-H Conference at CSU June 19-21.  (With the exception of Christine who arrives July 9)

IFYEs generally stay with a host family for two-three weeks.  The goal is for these exchange participants to learn about everyday life in the United States by participating in the homestay experience.  All delegates have medical insurance and personal spending money.

Please contact Courtney Loflin at the State 4-H Office for more information regarding these IFYEs,  970.491.2711
Courtney.loflin@colostate.edu

- Ellen Butler

State 4-H Conference

4-H to the Xtreme!

The 2012 Colorado State 4-H Conference will be held June 19-21. State 4-H Conference provides great training and an opportunity for 4-H members, leaders, and Extension agents to strengthen their leadership skills. It also hosts the following state contests including: Livestock Bowl, Livestock Judging, Consumer Choices, Consumer Bowl, Horse Bowl, Horse Judging, Hippology, Horse Demonstration and Public Speaking, Prepared Speech, Impromptu Speech, and Parliamentary Procedure. We look forward to your participation!

Registration
State 4-H Conference information will be available on the web at http://www.colorado4h.org/events_opportunities/stateconference. Registration is $70 per person and for those participating in contests, there is an additional $20 entry fee per contest. For your convenience, we have provided a participant registration form and parent letter for your use; just add your registration deadline and payment information. Please share this information, along with a copy of the workshop descriptions and tentative schedule, with those interested in attending conference. There is also an informational piece to share with parents that you can edit and print on letterhead.

Registration instructions and online registration will be available through 4-H Online May 3 through May 31. Registrations entered after May 31 will be charged a $20 late fee per participant. Online registration will end on June 6 at 12:00 Midnight. Changes can be made directly with Melissa Oliver via email at melissa.oliver@colostate.edu, or by phone, 970.213.0899, after June 6.  Cancellations between May 31 and June 6 will incur a cancellation penalty of a minimum of $20 up to the full registration dependent on what numbers have been turned in and guaranteed.  NO refund will be given for cancellations after June 6.

Payment
Payment for the entire amount is due by June 6. Please use Extension, county government, 4-H leader or youth council checks when paying your registration. Personal checks will not be accepted as it places the entire conference at risk of paying City of Fort Collins taxes. Please make your check payable to the Colorado 4-H Foundation and have it postmarked by June 6. Upon arrival on June 23, we will calculate for additional billing or refunds as necessary.

Please mail to: State 4-H Events Office, ATTN: Melissa Oliver

Rocky Mountain Camps Open to Military Kids Ages 13-17!

Please help us fill our Rocky Mt. Adventure Camps! $25 registration fee for military youth ages 13-17. Go to http://www.active.com/military-camp/golden-co/rocky-mountain-adventure-camp-colorado-state-university-military-youth
Rocky Mountain Adventure Camp 2012-Buses pick up at Fort Carson, The Academy and Buckley AFB.

May 29-Jun 01 RMAC Pingree Camp 1-
Jun 05-Jun 08 RMAC Pingree Camp 2
Jun 19-Jun 22 RMAC Pingree Camp 3
Jul 09-Jul 12 RMAC Pingree Camp 4
Jul 17-Jul 20 RMAC Pingree Camp 5

We have just added 13 year olds so please help us spread the word. Contact Amy Quinn amy.quinn@colostate.edu with any questions.

- Shauna Vail Woods, Operation: Military Kids Program Coordinator – Colorado Military Liaison

Exciting News: Daniels Scholarship Moves to Open Application Process

We are excited to announce that, starting in fall 2012, students will no longer need a nomination to apply for the Daniels Scholarship. A new “open application process” will allow students to initiate the scholarship application themselves, rather than the process beginning with a nomination from a Referral Agency.

While the new approach will provide greater access to students interested in applying for the Daniels Scholarship, we will still rely on the assistance of high schools, youth serving agencies, and college prep providers to share the opportunity to apply with viable candidates and provide recommendations for their scholarship applications.

“We are grateful for the input we received from hundreds of referral agency representatives who responded to the survey sent after the close of the recent application process,” explained Kristin Todd, senior vice president for Scholarships. “The complexity of the application process was a common theme, but we also heard from a number of respondents that many of their students struggled with the nomination and recommendation process,” she explained.

The Daniels Fund listened carefully to these concerns and believes that the open application will streamline the process to make it easier for students to complete and submit their application, as well as confirm that their recommenders have submitted their information.

Students will have access to the 2012-2013 online scholarship application via the Daniels Fund website. The students and all student- identified recommenders will also have access to an online portal to monitor progress during the scholarship application process.

As in past years, the scholarship application will launch in early September and close in late November.

As always, please contact your regional representative should you have questions about the Daniels Fund scholarship.

- Ellen Butler

Invitation to 4-H Members to the CSRN GPS Day Event, June 9, 2012

On behalf of the Colorado Spatial Reference Network, CSRN, (www.csrn.us) a chapter of the Professional Land Surveyors of Colorado, PLSC, I would like to extend an invitation to 4-H members in Colorado to the CSRN GPS Day Event to be held on June 9, 2012, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, Utah Park, 1800 S Peoria St, Aurora, CO 80012.

The event is free and open to youth and adults to learn about Global Positioning Satellites, GPS, Geographic Information Systems, GIS, Land Surveying, Geocaching, and Geodesy.  There will be professionals who work with GPS, GIS, Land Surveying, Geocaching, and Geodesy volunteering to share their knowledge to those that attend this event.

Click on these links for further information.

http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2012/CSRN-GPS-Day-SaveTheDate.pdf
http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2012/CSRN-GPS-Day-Program.pdf
http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2012/CSRN-GPS-Day-EventSummary.pdf
http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2012/CSRN-GPS-Day-SiteMap.pdf
http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2012/CSRN-GPS-Day-CertificateOfCompletion.pdf

The CSRN would like to have this posted as an activity for 4-H members to attend.  This is open to any age group interested in GPS and the ways it is used.

- Ellen Butler

Awards for State 4-H Conference

I just wanted to remind all of you about the two awards that the Colorado State 4-H Officer Team sponsors.  The 4-H Senate Raleigh Brooks Outstanding Leader Award and the 4-H Senate Mile High Outstanding Youth Leader Award.  The applications for the these awards can be found on the 4-H website at: http://www.colorado4h.org/councils/senate/Forms/forms.php

These two awards are given during the banquet at State Conference.  Please look them over and please recognize your outstanding leaders and 4-H members.

Awards Nomination Forms
•    4-H Senate Raleigh Brooks Outstanding Adult Leader Award
•    4-H Senate Mile High Outstanding Youth Leader Award

- Connie Cecil

4-H Foundation Scholarships Awarded

The Colorado 4-H Foundation Scholarship Committee has completed its assessment of the scholarship applications, and the winners of this year’s scholarships have been selected.  This year we received a total of 92 applications for all the various scholarships.

Those receiving scholarships are:

1st Choice After School Kare ($1,000) (new scholarship this year) – Kelly Buchanan (Boulder)

Colorado Agricultural Development Authority ($1,000 each)
- Taylor Hett (Weld)
- Tyler Konieczka (Jefferson)
- Derek Schroder (Baca)
- Kortnee Spelts (Yuma)
- Emily Wellman (Moffat)

Bill and Barbara Holthaus Scholarship ($1,000 each)
- Conner Gerken (Morgan)
- Abbey Pizel (Rio Grande)
- Thomas Price (El Paso)

Kimberling Family Scholarship ($1,000) (increased from $500 to $1,000 for this year since extra funds were available)
- Nikki Buhrdorf (Delta)

Murdoch’s Ranch and Home Supply Scholarship ($1,000) (five scholarships awarded this year rather than just one as in previous years)
- Natalie Curtiss (Boulder)
- Karisa Fuerniss (Larimer)
- Kasey Miles (Delta)
- Brandon Morgan (Montrose)
- Ayla Newman (Morgan)

Portouw Photography Scholarship ($300)
- Katie Server (Boulder)

Audrey Sandstead Scholarship ($400)
- Kaitlin Williams (Jefferson)

Howard E. and Marjory M. Smith Scholarship ($1,000)
- Mallory Hoots (Routt)

- Bill Gargan, Colorado 4-H Foundation

NIFA Partnership Awards

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) recognizes there are many outstanding contributions that our partners in the land-grant universities and other cooperating institutions and organizations have achieved.  To recognize these achievements, the Partnership Awards Program was established in 2007.

NIFA invites all land-grant universities and cooperating institutions and organizations supported by NIFA to submit nominations for the 2012 NIFA Partnership Awards Program.  This program recognizes outstanding contributions, aligned with NIFA strategic goals, in support of the USDA mission.  Awards for this year will recognize excellence in:
•         Mission Integration of Research, Education, and Extension
•         Multistate Efforts
•         Innovative Programs and Projects
•         Effective and Efficient Use of Resources
•         Program Improvement through Global Engagement

Nominations can be submitted for individuals or teams of up to 35 members.  Each institution may submit up to two nominations (combined total across all categories), meaning the entire institution including research, education, and extension functions.

Specific instructions and other information regarding this awards program are attached (2011 NIFA partnership criteria.doc).  Nominations must be submitted via the NIFA Partnership Awards Nomination Form, also attached (2012 NIFA partnership Nom-form.doc).  All signed nomination forms must be submitted by July 13, 2012, via email using scanned files that have been saved as .pdf or .jpg files to Chevon Gibson at Chevon.Gibson@ars.usda.gov according to instructions in the attached guidelines.

Winning nominations will be recognized at the NIFA Day of Appreciation tentatively scheduled for October.  NIFA will pay travel expenses for one person from each winning nomination, whether it is an individual or team award.

Nominations should include only individuals or teams who have performed truly distinguished service.  We ask that Deans, Directors, and Administrators thoroughly review each submission for validity of accomplishments before signing his or her approval on the nomination form.

We have many excellent examples of success in these categories across our partnership, and NIFA looks forward to recognizing great accomplishments in October.

- Chavonda Jacobs-Young , Ph.D., Acting Director
National Institute of Food and Agriculture

USDA Childhood Obesity Challenge Area RFA Released

Hello everyone-Please see the following for the release of the USDA childhood obesity challenge area RFA: http://www.nifa.usda.gov/newsroom/news/2012news/04091_obesity_rfa.html

Please note the application deadline of June 5 and focus area of adolescents ages 15-19.

Suzanne Le Menestrel
National Program Leader, Youth Development Research
4-H National Headquarters, Division of Youth & 4-H
Institute of Youth, Family & Community, NIFA, USDA
Phone:   (202) 720-2297
slemenestrel@nifa.usda.gov
http://www.csrees.usda.gov/youthdevelopment4h.cfm

4-H Update

Volume 15, Number 10

Dates to Remember:

May 1:  4HOnline Youth Enrollment Data due
May 1-3: CAE4-HA, Albuquerque, NM
June 1:  Colorado 4-H Foundation Golf Tournament, Pelican Lakes Golf & Country Club, Windsor
June 1:  Youth leadership and Citizenship applications due

Routt County 4-H Agent Position Opening

4-H Extension Agent, Routt County: Salary range $3,862 – $4,132 plus benefits.  Duties include: provide information on national and state 4-H programs to members, leaders and other county residents, assist with county 4-H projects and programs, oversee youth programs, assist youth and adult councils with club fund raising and community service projects, events, and activities, provide technical support for local 4-H projects and programs, train and coordinate training for youth members and adult leaders, assist with livestock projects.  A full job description is available upon request.  Applicant must have a Bachelor’s degree in agriculture or youth development with a Masters preferred, one to three years of experience in youth programs, community relations or agriculture.  Applicant must have the ability to: communicate effectively with youth and adults, handle and work with livestock, computer skills, and the ability to use multimedia in presentations.

A cover letter and the Routt County Application must be received before 3 pm, May 3, 2012.  You can access the Routt County application on our website.  Click on the Human Resources page: go to How to Apply: click on the Routt County Job Application.

Failure to submit all of the above paperwork will disqualify you from the application process.

Deliver to: Human Resources, Attn: 4-H Extension Agent, 136 6th Street, Steamboat Springs, CO; e-mail Georgian Kalow at gkalow@co.routt.co.us, or fax to 970-870-5362.  Applications can be mailed to PO Box 773598, Steamboat Springs, CO 80477-3598.  The application paperwork must be received on or before the deadline listed.   You may use any of the methods listed to apply for this position. Click on here for more information:  http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2012/RouttCounty4H.pdf

Routt County is an Equal Opportunity Employer, ROUTT COUNTY HUMAN RESOURCES, P. O. Box 773598, Steamboat Springs, CO 80477,  970.870.5361      FAX: 970.870.5632
- Ellen Butler

4-H Enrollment Data Due on May 1

This is just a reminder that the May Deadline is coming soon!

To Verify your counts w/n 4HOnline go to: Enrollment | Search (Make sure the textbox is empty) Check the boxes “Youth”, “Active” and “Archived” – The Number “returned” is the number you will use for the attached form. (NOTE: Archived are members that PAID, but have since decided to withdraw from 4H but we still need to count them in the total)   The form can be downloaded at:

www.ext.colostate.edu/ye/forms/enrollverification.doc

Please provide the appropriate signature (s) and either email, fax or mail to me by May 1 (information listed below).

ALL INVOICES WILL BE SENT VIA EMAIL -  DO NOT SEND MONEY UNTIL THE INVOICE ARRIVES!

Please feel free to contact me at 970.491.3887 or Email: joy.bauder@colostate.edu.
- Joy Bauder

4-H Build a Million Club

Michigan State University Extension has announced a new family and consumer economics curriculum, “4-H Build a Million Club”  funded by FINRA. (See the News Release attached.)   The  “4-H Build a Million Club” is posted on the eXtension.org website listed in the “Financial Security for All” Community of Practice.   Please share this press release and email announcement.   The eXtension.org website is available here:  http://www.extension.org/pages/61531/4-h-build-a-million

Join my4-h.org

I would like to welcome you to register for the just-launched my4-H site. In 5 simple steps, you’ll be using my4-H, giving you instant access to a slew of productivity, professional development, and collaboration tools and even resources and communities specific to Colorado and STEM! STEP 1 — Go here: https://www.my4-h.org/ and click on the orange button called Request Membership. STEP 2 — Fill out the registration form. On Page 3, make sure to check the box for any areas of interest. STEP 3 — Look out for an email with your OpenID login. Click on the link within the email to create your password. STEP 4 — Return to https://www.my4-h.org/ and login with your OpenID. (Note: This will take you to a page that appears to be for ACCESS Enrollment but will in fact take you to my4-H.) STEP 5 — Begin to explore my4-H! Update your profile with your picture and other details… post your first my4-H status… and more! Thanks!
- Claire Dixon, Front Range STEM Specialist

Invitation to Gear Tech 21 Camp Training – it’s not just for camp!

The Gear Tech 21 Camp Team would like to share an invitation to take part in our Gear Tech 21 Camp training that will be held May 29 and 30 in Akron ( 9 am to 4 pm).  We are holding three (3) Gear Tech camps in the Golden Plains this summer and are very pleased to have a trainer coming from UNL to do a two day face-to-face training with the staff and volunteers who will be running the camps. As you probably know, Gear Tech focuses on NXT robotics and geospatial technology. During the training,  we will be learning to do the projects that the kids will be doing – building and programming robots, learning how to use and do activities with GPS units and learning how to use on-line GIS to work with maps.  If you would like to learn more about using these technologies, we would love to have you attend the training with us.  There is a $25 charge for the training for anyone who will not be helping with a camp which goes to UNL.  Lunch is included. If you would like to become one of our camp volunteers, you can do the training for free!  Let me know if that sounds like fun.  It would be a great way to get familiar with the Gear Tech program so you can hold your own next year.

To register for the camp, they ask you first to take a little pre-survey and then you can fill in the registration.  If you do not already have a Gear Tech log-in, there are instructions below to sign up.  You will want that so you can look at the curriculum they provide.

I really learned the biggest part of what I know about robotics from the Gear Tech curriculum so can tell you for sure if you or some of your volunteers have been thinking about taking the plunge into the NXT robotics project, you would find this beneficial.  We will cover robotics the first day and the geospatial material the second day.

Below is all of the info you need to get signed up.  If you do decide to come, please send me an email telling me you registered as all of the registration materials go to UNL and we want to be sure we have enough lunches!

To sign up: The first step in registering for the workshop is to complete the GEAR-Tech-21 pre-survey:  http://tinyurl.com/GT21educatorpresurvey. The last page of the survey will take you to the UNL Marketplace for online registration.  If you need to get directly to the online registration:  http://marketplace.unl.edu/ne4h/geartech21/gear-tech-21-training-registration.html. The fee is $25 per person, and includes a printed copy of the GEAR-Tech-21 Helpers Guide and Youth Workbook.  Those who are assisting with GEAR-Tech-21 camps in 2012 may register for free by entering a coupon code provided to the lead camp coordinator.

Before the workshop: Create a user account on the GEAR-Tech-21 website:  http://www.geartech21.org. Please allow a day or two for account approval.  After your account is approved, you’re encouraged to start looking at the GEAR-Tech-21 activities and Helper Guides.

We would love to have you join us!

- Christy Fitzpatrick Northern Regional Extension Specialist

Wild Bug Fish Camp

Please click on these links for further information about Wild Bug Fish Camp! Save the date – June 25-28!

http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2012/WBFC_Flyer_2012.pdf http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2012/WBFC_Brochure_2012.pdf

FLEX High School and Japanese Summer Inbound Promotions

For further information about recruitment releases for the FLEX high school (Future Leaders Exchange) and Japanese Summer Inbound (month-long) promotions, please click on the link below.

http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2012/HostFamiliesNeeded.pdf
http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2012/2012-FLEX-RecruitmentDescription.pdf

- Courtney Loflin

Ready! Set! ACTion!

Ready! Set! ACTion! is an AMAZING new project launching now for youth leadership groups across the state of Colorado.  Driven by youth organizers, who call themselves Coffee! and as a project of The Civic Canopy powered by Kaiser Permanente, this project is like no other.

What is it?  We are challenging youth to create a health ACTion-project and video of the change they are making around health.  Make an impact on your community and have a chance to receive a donation of up to $5,000 from Kaiser Permanente.

When is the next important date?  Registration deadline is June 30, 2012!

What is our website?  Go to www.readysetaction.org for more information on the project and to fill out a registration form.  Once you fill out a form you will be assigned a youth producer who can answer any of your questions about the project.

Why?  This youth driven initiative provides you with many exciting advantages: 1. Health and youth leadership resources 2. Technical video assistance 3. Youth leadership group connections 4. Blog opportunities 5. Camera access (if needed) 6. Health ACTion-project video premiere event in Spring of 2013! 7. The chance to receive a donation of up to $5,000 for your group

Groups have until March 2013 to complete the project but you must register by June 30, 2012 to be a part of this challenge!

We hope you register to share your amazing work with others through Ready! Set! ACTion!  Please share this opportunity with your youth leadership group and/or share with other groups as well.

Contact:  Ana Soler, Managing Director – The Civic Canopy Phone:  303.292.3144 Cell:  303.319.6022
Email:  ana@civiccanopy.org
- Ellen Butler

American Paint Horse Association 4-H Statewide

Get “CREDIT” For Your American Paint Horse

The PAC (Paint Alternative Competition) program awards credits to Paint Horses for achievements outside of APHA-approved events.  PAC is designed to give youth the opportunity to count their open show and 4-H accomplishments on their Paint Horse’s records, and achieve year end awards for their efforts. This is a great way to get started in the show arena, and gain experience without adding too much cost.  Members can get automatic recognition at any 4-H event, or use a PAC-approved event within the PAC show calendar for further credit.  Your Paint Horse must be enrolled each year ($25) and the owner must also be a member of the AjPHA or APHA.  Once enrolled, the exhibitor forms can be filled out, signed by the show secretary and sent in for automatic credit. For more information on the PAC program go to http://www.apha.com/pac/.  The American Junior Paint Horse Association is the youth component of the American Paint Horse Association. Anyone aged 18 & under (as of January 1st) with an interest in Paint Horses is invited to join the “j”. AjPHA members enjoy the same membership benefits as adult APHA members, and can participate in APHA-approved shows and programs. In addition, the AjPHA offers activities that don’t require a horse, including a youth leadership conference, art contest, photography contest, short story contest, and horse judging contest.  AjPHA offers something for everyone so come join us for some FUN, FRIENDS, and GREAT HORSES.  For more information and for details on how to join AjPHA, visit http://www.ajpha.com/.

In addition, AjPHA also sponsors several State 4-H Horse shows a year giving prizes and awards to all 4-H youth participating in their state competition.  For 2012 AjPHA will also be teaming up with local Paint Horse Clubs to add additional events during the shows as well as awards that will be specifically for Paint Horse exhibitors.
- Ellen Butler

Re-launching of StopBullying.Gov

We are excited to introduce you to a revitalized www.stopbullying.gov! Building on the momentum started a year ago by the Obama Administration and relaunched in partnership with the Department of Education, the new site emphasizes action steps individuals can take to prevent and stop bullying in their schools and communities. It also features easy-to-use tools and resources for community leaders, young people and families, including:

• How to recognize the warning signs and when to take action
• Tips to prevent bullying before it starts
• How to implement strategies for intervention
• Ways to share your community’s resources, policies or strategies to prevent and address bullying
• Information on bullying laws in your state

We hope the new site will help you share ideas and start discussions about the role you can play in preventing bullying in your community. Show your support on your own website with our widgets and badges and subscribe to email updates to find out about new content on the site. We also encourage you to consider submitting your materials for inclusion in our resource database.  You can also follow StopBullying.gov on Twitter or Facebook for more information on how to take action. Please also look for the yellow boxes at the bottom of most pages. This is our new user feedback tool, which you can use to tell us whether you found the page useful or not. You can also share your ideas for how to improve it. We hope you enjoy the new site, and look forward to hearing your feedback on how we can continue to support your work on bullying prevention and intervention.   Sincerely, The StopBullying.gov Editorial Board, with representation from:   U.S. Department of Education U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, including:
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Health Resources and Services Administration
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

- Ellen Butler

Speak Now Media Toolkit Training

We hope this finds you well and enjoying the sunny skies! Thank you for your participation in the Speak Now Media Toolkit Training and for your excitement and willingness to assist the Division of Behavioral Health in disseminating the statewide social marketing campaign message “Speak Now! Talk with your kids about the dangers of teen drinking”.    Please let us know if you need the Speak Now Media Toolkit or posters in English and Spanish to display in your community.  You can contact me, sharon.liu1@state.co.us, Shadia, slemus@webbpr.com, or Andy, acohen@wepppr.com to have the toolkit and posters sent to you.  Please provide us with your address and the # of posters you need. Also, feel free to share this with others who may be interested in the Speak Now campaign. I have attached the 2012 Speak Now Communications Plan, Campaign Fact Sheet, and Tactical Action Plan worksheet.   The “Speak Now! Talk with your kids about the dangers of teen drinking.” statewide social marketing campaign will be launching on Monday, April 2, 2012. Be sure to check out the website at www.SpeakNowColorado.org or www.HableAhoraColorado.org

http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2012/TacticalActionPlan.pdf http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2012/CommunicationsPlan-CPPS.pdf http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2012/CampaignFactSheet.pdf

- Ellen Butler

4H Update

Volume 15, Number 9

Dates to Remember:

March 24-29: National 4-H Conference, Washington, DC
April 1:  State scholarship applications due
May 1:  4HOnline Youth Enrollment Data due
May 1-3: CAE4-HA, Albuquerque, NM
June 1:  Colorado 4-H Foundation Golf Tournament, Pelican Lakes GOlf & Country Club, Windsor
June 1:  Youth leadership and Citizenship applications due

National 4-H Congress Update

We wanted to remind you all that the process for National 4-H Congress delegate selection has changed.  Beginning this year, delegates will now be selected by earning Grand Champions status at state fair in 14 different project areas.  Click o this link to see a list of the project areas http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2012/National4hCongress.pdf.  A 4-H member may attend National Congress only once.  If a 4-H member is a selected as a Grand Champion more than once throughout their 4-H career, they can still only attend Congress one time.  The Reserve Grand Champion will not be moved up to fill the position if a member decides not to attend Congress or has been selected as a Grand Champion in more than one project area.
- Connie Cecil

International 4-H Youth Exchange Reporting

Please click on this link to read a brief promotional piece regarding a great opportunity to have our IFYE delegates provide an educational experience in your counties to a variety of audiences.  The three reporting IFYEs still have several time slots available.  Please promote this and let me know if you have any questions.  http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2012/IFYE-ReportingPromotion.pdf
- Courtney Loflin

4-H Robotics

Looking for a one-page hand out to describe 4-H robotics? The attached flyer, created by Kyle Jones at National 4-H Council is just that! You might even recognize Colorado’s guest celebrity! Check it out!  http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2012/4hRobotics.pdf
- Ellen Butler

$10,000 AND $25,000 Grants Available to Rural School Districts through America’s Farmers Grown Rural Education

Statistics show that the United States ranks only 25th in math scores and 21st in science compared to 30 industrialized nations. These facts show that education is strongly in need of support. To help, Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of Monsanto Company, is launching America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education℠ to aid rural school districts by providing $10,000 and $25,000 grants in 1,245 counties across 39 states.

“We believe our rural communities are the heart of America,” said Deborah Patterson, Monsanto Fund president. “We want to help strengthen local communities and education systems, especially in the areas of science and/or math. A strong science and math education helps build a foundation for many careers in agriculture, but also will help our students to be more competitive with those in larger cities and other nations.”

America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education gives farmers the opportunity to nominate a public school district in their rural community to compete for a grant. Nominated school district administrators can then submit an application for either a $10,000 or $25,000 grant to support a science and/or math educational program by April 30, 2012. School districts that apply for a $10,000 grant will compete against other school districts that are located in the USDA-appointed Crop Reporting District (CRD); except that CRDs with fewer than five eligible school districts will compete against each other for a single grant. A school district that applies for a $25,000 grant will compete against schools that are located in its state or designated region.

The Monsanto Fund will award 199 grants this year. There will be 177 $10,000 grants and 22 grants of $25,000 awarded. Visit growruraleducation.com to see a complete list of eligible states and regions. Overall, the Monsanto Fund will donate more than $2.3 million to school districts in 39 states through this program.

Grants will be awarded based on merit, need and community support. The America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education Advisory Council will select the winning grant application. This group is made up of 26 farmer leaders from across the country, who are passionate about both farming and rural education. The council members are actively engaged in their local communities through various leadership positions, such as a member of the local School Board, an active Farm Bureau leader or a member of an educational organization or committee within various organizations. The council is responsible for reviewing the top grant applications to select the winning school. These individuals are passionate about both agriculture and education, which is essential when choosing the best grant.

The program started with a successful pilot in Illinois and Minnesota, in which farmers were given the opportunity to nominate a public school district in 165 eligible counties in those two states. The Monsanto Fund awarded more than $266,000 to local schools in 16 CRDs through the pilot.

The America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education program is part of a broad commitment by Monsanto Fund to highlight the important contributions farmers make every day to our society by helping them grow their youth. Visit www.growruraleducation.com for additional information and to view a complete list of winning school districts.

About Monsanto Fund The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the farm communities where farmers and Monsanto Company employees live and work.  Visit the Monsanto Fund at www.monsantofund.org.
- Ellen Butler

Announcing the Toyota Innovation Awardees

This year three 4-H National Youth Science Day events earned the top award for their creativity, their ability to build momentum around a Wired for Wind event and their commitment to community impact. These submissions were selected from more than 700 events nationwide and more than 100 submissions overall.

$4,000 Creativity Award Winner University of Illinois Extension, Unit 19 – On Oct. 5, 2011, 75 fourth graders from Cumberland Elementary School visited Lake Land College campus where they spent three hours conducting the Wired for Wind experiment, led by Lake Land College technology division instructors. This community event invited partnerships from University of Illinois Extension, Unit 19, Lake Land College, Cumberland Elementary School, University of Illinois Extension, State 4-H Office and First Neighbor Bank.Read more

$3,000 Revolution of Responsibility Award Winner Harris County 4-H Family Science Night, Houston, Texas – 4-H National Youth Science Day inspired Harris County to form new 4-H Science partnerships that would build capacity for reaching youth audiences with exciting projects in science, engineering and technology. In September, Texas AgriLife Extension and Harris County 4-H Urban Youth Development (UYD) partnered with Alief Independent School District After School Program (ASP) to bring the Wired For Wind experiment to diverse youth audiences. Extension staff secured $1,500.00 in grant funds for the project from Texas 4-H Science Liaison, Matt Tarpley in support of a “family science night” event.

$3,000 Media and Promotion Award Winner WSU Colville Reservation-Ferry County 4-H – Intending to build a buzz about their 4-H Super Science Saturday event, Colville Reservation Extension 4-H initiated their promotion plan by sending press releases to four local newspapers. But, they didn’t stop there. They didn’t stop there: posters were printed in advance of the event and posted in local businesses and community bulletin boards. Handbills were sent home with students at area schools, an ad was displayed on the Ferry County Extension website and an email announcement was sent out to Colville Tribes employees across the reservation.

Stay tuned, we’ll announce the 2012 National Science Experiment in April! Can’t get enough of 4-H National Youth Science Day? Visit our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/4-h for updates about 4-H science, scholarship opportunities and more.
- Ellen Butler

Dodgeball Tournament at State 4-H Conference

Please let all of your 4-H members know that we are going to have a District Dodge Ball Tournament at State Conference.  It is going to be a blast!!!!!  Click on this link for more information about the tournament. http://www.colorado4h.org/events_opportunities/stateconference/2012/DistrictDodgeBallTournament.pdf

Even the agents and leaders get to have a team.  So anyone who is going to State Conference and would like to be on the adult team –just let me know.    The tournament will be on Wednesday afternoon from 3:45 to 5:00pm.  So what do you say?!  Let’s have a great turn out for this great fun event.
- Connie Cecil

Great Opportunity for Young Women who will be in the 11th or 12th grade in 2012-2013

Vital Voices and ANN INC., the parent company of Ann Taylor and LOFT, have teamed up in a groundbreaking partnership, the ANNpower Vital Voices Initiative. Together, they are working to train and empower young women in the U.S. to invest in their communities and begin their journey as the next generation of leaders.

ANNpower Fellows will be invited to attend the ANNpower Vital Voices Leadership Forum, a three-day leadership training program in Washington, DC from June 4-6, 2012. The Forum’s curriculum will be based on the Vital Voices Leadership Model, and the girls will be mentored by 12 global women leaders who are part of the Vital Voices Global Leadership Network, which includes some of the most influential women from around the world. After completing the curriculum, the 50 ANNpower Fellows will be challenged to go back to their communities and create a project that will affect change at the local level. They will also be eligible later in the year to win project grants to put their ideas into action.

This is a unique opportunity for young women who are committed to reshaping the world for positive change to meet their peers from across the United States and be mentored by distinguished leaders. We invite you to share this information with outstanding rising high school juniors and seniors who you believe will be the next generation of global trailblazers. The application is available online here http://www.vitalvoices.org/annpower and you can read about the inaugural class of ANNpower Fellows here http://vitalvoices.org/annpower-2011. Please direct any questions to mailto:LaurenWollack@vitalvoices.org.

Applicant Eligibility:

*         Applicants must be enrolled in high school in the United States or Puerto Rico

*         Applicants must be enrolled in 11th or 12th grade for the 2012-2013 academic year

*         Applications must be received by March 31, 2012 at 5:00pm EST.

Daphna Kapnik Program Coordinator, Global Leadership Network Vital Voices Global Partnership

Web Conference:  A Focus on Building Military Family Resilience

The Family Development concentration of eXtension’s Military Families Learning Community invites you to participate in an interactive 60-minute web conference focused on resilience among military families.   Mark your calendars and plan to participate!  No registration is needed.

Balancing Work and Family:  A Focus on Building Military Family Resilience

Thursday, April 5 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (EDT)

Angela Wiley, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Applied Family Studies and Extension Specialist University of Illinois

Commander David Allen Shirk United States Navy Chaplain Camp Johnson, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

• Attend this 60-minute web conference focused on work-life challenges facing military families • Learn about strategies that build on the strengths of military families that can effectively manage work-family issues • Share your experiences and ideas through this interactive session

No registration is needed To attend link to http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/milfam a few minutes before 11:00 a.m. (EDT)

Angela Wiley, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in Human and Community Development and Extension Specialist in Family Life Education at the University of Illinois. Dr. Wiley’s research focuses on work life management, child care and promoting family resilience. She is interested in identifying how family strengths influence family resilience during stressful periods. Her research has been published in Family Relations and in Child Development.  Dr. Wiley has developed a curriculum to help people balance work and their personal lives.  She is currently conducting an evaluation of this curriculum focused on couple well-being.

Commander Shirk is currently assigned as the Officer in Charge, Chaplain and Religious Program Specialist Expeditionary Training Course at Camp Johnson.  He holds a Master’s of Divinity, M.A. in Child Development and Family Relation and B.S. in Business Administration, and is ordained by the Baptist General Conference. While based at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Commander Shirk served in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, Individual Augmentation with 82nd Airborne Division.

To avoid technical difficulties, please test your connection prior to April 5 at:  http://bit.ly/MFLNAdobeTest

Suggested reading to prepare for the web conference:

Drummet, A. R. (2003). Military families under stress: Implications for family life education. Family Relations, 52(3), 279-287. http://reachmilitaryfamilies.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/upload_material/Drummet,%20et%20al.%202003.pdf

- Shauna Woods

WFCO Girl’s Leadership Council Launch – Opportunity for Sophomore Girls

Skills to Pay the Bills: Mastering Soft Skills for Workplace Success

We would like to alert you to a new publication from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy’s Youth team. “Skills to Pay the Bills: Mastering Soft Skills for Workplace Success” is a curriculum specifically designed for youth service professionals working with young people ages 14 to 24. The document was field-tested in seven career development youth programs across the country serving all youth, including youth with disabilities.   The basic structure of the publication was created through a lens of Universal Design, with a focus on providing flexible, hands-on, engaging activities that focus on six key skill areas: communication, enthusiasm and attitude, teamwork, networking, problem solving and critical thinking, and professionalism.   The curriculum is available in both English and Spanish on the ODEP website. The Office of Disability Employment Policy invites you to use this curriculum, forward it to your colleagues and/or membership base, and provide us with your feedback. Check this out:  http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2012/GirlsLeadershipCouncilFlyer.pdf  – Jennifer Kemp

Seeking Submissions for Directory of Successful Urban 4-H Programs

NAE4-HA Directory of Successful Urban 4-H Programs The Urban Programming Task Force of the NAE4-HA programs committee is coordinating the sharing of ideas through the Directory of Successful Urban 4-H Programs. The purpose of the directory is to provide 4-H professionals across the country ideas about successful 4-H programs in the urban environment—without having to “reinvent the wheel.” We plan to add more examples of these successful programs to this directory on an annual basis. The call for submissions to the directory is made twice a year. Directory Submission Forms are due: March 15th and August 15th.   New submissions have not been sought for the Directory since 2008, as we worked to move the directory onto the NAE4-HA website.  The Urban Programming Taskforce is excited to once again start collecting submissions.  The Directory of Successful Urban 4-H Programs can be found on the NAE4-HA website at: http://nae4ha.com/urbanprograms.htm  To reach the Directory from the NAE4-HA home page…highlight “Committees” on the left side bar, then scroll down and click on “Research, Evaluation & Programs Team.”  On the Research, Evaluation & Programs Team page, scroll down to Urban Programming and select the Directory of Successful Urban Programs.  We know you do good work in Urban Environments.  Please consider submitting your good work into the Directory of Successful Urban 4-H Programs.  For more information about the directory or the submission process, contact Paul Henderson at West Virginia State University Extension Service at henderpm@wvstateu.edu or by phone at 304.550.4210.
- Ellen Butler

4-H Update

 Dates to Remember:

* November 7-10:  Extension Forum, CSU Campus
* November 11-13: Colorado Leadership Camp (CLC), Glenwood Springs
* November 24-25: University holidays, offices closed
* November 25-29: National 4-H Congress, Atlanta, GA
* December 1:  Catch-a-Calf applications due to Erin VanPeer, Adams County Extension 4-H Agent

4-H Scholars program

Each year the 4-H Foundation selects one CSU Freshman student who was an active 4-H member to serve as a Scholar for the next 4 years.  The students serve as ambassadors for the State 4-H program by speaking at events, visiting donors and helping out at State 4-H Activities.  Colorado Farm Bureau provides each student a $750 stipend each semester for their work.

Applications for this program are due in the Colorado 4-H Foundation office by November 1, 2011.  If you have 4-H members or past members attending CSU, please share this information with them.  More Scholars program information and  the application requirements can be found at the following website http://www.colorado4hfoundation.org

Thank you for spreading the word. – Gary Small, Executive Director, Colorado 4-H Foundation

Officer Training

The Colorado State University Collegiate 4-H Club would like to offer you their services to counties across the state again this year. The collegiate club presents workshops on many different aspects of 4-H including officer trainings, ice breaker workshops, youth-adult partnerships, leadership training and much more. We are looking for groups to work with during our fall and spring semesters. In order to make the workshops feasible for our club we will be charging a mileage fee of $0.50 per mile with a minimum fee of $100. If you are interested, or would like more information about what the club does as well as the materials we present, please email the club at colostate4h@yahoo.com. We look forward to working with you! – Ellen Butler

Collegiate 4-H Shadow Program

The Collegiate 4-H Shadow Program, November 10-12, 2011, is for high school sophomores to seniors who are interested in seeing what college life is like in a safe setting.  Participants will attend class with a Collegiate 4-H member, get a tour of the CSU campus and the CSU Veterinary Hospital, and see all that CSU has to offer.  Participants will arrive Thursday, Nov. 10, in the evening, participate in icebreakers and get-to-know-you games, spend the night with one of the Collegiate 4-H members, and attend classes, tours and information sessions on Friday. On Saturday participants will have the choice of attending a CSU football game or just heading home.  The only cost for participants will be meals and any extra spending money as all other activities will be free.  If interested please call the State 4-H office at 970.491.1152 or email ellen.butler@colostate.edu. You may also e-mail  colostate4h@yahoo.com or call Anna Ball, CSU Collegiate president, at 970.903.7499.

Thanks! – Anna Ball, CSU Collegiate 4-H President

WRLF Update

WRLF is right around the corner – January 12-15 in Cheyenne, WY.  Early bird registration is available for $225 until November 1.  Registratoin will close on December 15, 2011.  For further information and the WRLF website please click on  http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2011/2012-WRLF-Newsletter-8.pdf – Ellen Butler

National After School Science Directory

Looking for a way to promote your 4-H Science Programs? The National After School Science Directory is a searchable database designed to increase access to high-quality science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education beyond the classroom for youth and families across the nation. The Directory houses thousands of STEM opportunities, submitted by science centers, museums, schools and other youth-serving organizations. The National After School Science Directory was developed in partnership with Time Warner Cable as part of its philanthropic initiative Connect a Million Minds. http://www.afterschoolscience.org/join/signup.php?type=directory

IFYE Application Deadline Extended to November 1, 2011

The deadline for IFYE applications has been extended to November 1, 2011.  Please promote this in your county and let me know if you have anyone interested. Thanks so much. – Courtney Loflin, State Coordinator – 4-H International Programs

2012 Colorado 4-H Shooting Sports Program, Hunting/Outdoor Skills Qualifier Event

ATTENTION: Those with 4-H Shooting Sports Responsibilities …

Please pass the email (below) from Doug Laes (Mesa County 4-H Shooting Sports Leader) along to all your 4-H Shooting Sports members, leaders and families who may be interested.

Let me point out that this event IS the State qualifier for the Colorado 4-H Shooting Sports Hunting/Outdoor Skills discipline. Senior 4-H Shooting Sports members attending this event will be in the running to be invited to represent Colorado 4-H Shooting Sports in the Hunting/Outdoor Skills contests at the 2012 4-H National Invitational Shoot in Grand Island, Nebraska in June of 2012.

Jim Hamilton, State 4-H Shooting Sports Coordinator has indicated that in order to be considered for invitation to represent our state at Grand Island, senior members attending this qualifier event need to be enrolled in a 4-H Shooting Sports Project discipline but not necessarily in the 4-H Hunting/Outdoor Skills discipline. Additionally, to be considered for invitation, Senior members need to be at least 14 years old and not older than 18 years old when attending the National Invitational in June of 2012.

I would like to stress again that this event in Fruita, Colorado, IS the qualifying event to fill slots for the Colorado 4-H Hunting/Outdoor Skills team representing us at the 2012 4-H National Invitational.

If you have any questions regarding this event or the qualification process please contact Jim Hamilton at jim.hamilton@colostate.edu (719.846.7403) or Doug Laes at dougl3@msn.com (970.210.7100).

http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2011/2011-YHEC-Shooter-Information-Packet.doc

*** The entry fee to attend YHEC on Oct 8 & 9 has been reduced to $20 per person and we will accept entries up to the start of the event. Remember this event is focused on youth however if adults want to compete there will be a group for them. We will be having our last planning meeting at 7 pm on Oct 4 in the Jockey building if you would like to help.

Please pass this information to anyone who might be interested in helping or competing. – Doug Laes

2012 4-H Youth In Action Award

We are pleased to announce National 4-H Council is now accepting applications for the annual Youth in Action award, to be presented at the 4-H Legacy Awards Gala in New York City on April 17, 2012!  This award recognizes an outstanding young person from your 4-H program who is realizing 4-H’s vision for youth driving positive change in their communities.

The 4-H Youth in Action award is open to 4-H youth and alumni ages 14-19, and applicants should have lead a project, service or event that:

•    Identified a problem in their community,
•    included 4-H as part of the solution, and
•    made an impact in resolving the issue.

If you know of an outstanding 4-H member that fits this criteria, we are accepting your nominations online at the 4-H.org Legacy Awards Gala Website.  Once you have nominated a 4-H youth, please encourage them to apply for this distinguished award.  Both the nominations and applications can be submitted here: http://www.4-h.org/get-involved/sponsor/4-h-legacy-awards-gala/youth-in-action-awards/

Application Requirements
In a 3 minute or less video, the nominee should address the following questions/statements:
(Note: File size should not exceed 50MB or 3 minutes.)
•     What problem did you or your community face?
•     What was the solution to the problem, and how was 4-H involved?
•     What impact did the resolution have on your community?
•     How has 4-H impacted your life?
•     Name any adversities or challenges that your 4-H experience has helped you overcome?

Application deadline is Nov. 1.  Please visit the 4-H Legacy Awards Gala Website for complete award information and application rules.

Questions? We’re happy to help!  Please email Kyle Jones at kjones@4-H.org.

 

CYFAR SCP 2012 RFA Announcement

NIFA is pleased to announce the availability of funding for the new FY 2012 Children, Youth, and Families at Risk (CYFAR) Sustainable Community Projects; the RFA is now available.

Proposals are due on or before December 1, 2011 at 11:59 pm.

The Request for Application (RFA) is available on Grants.gov. You can access each of the pages and see the RFA using the dedicated links below:

NIFA Funding Opportunity Page:
http://www.nifa.usda.gov/fo/childrenyouthfamiliessustainablecommunityprojects.cfm. This page includes links to the request for applications (RFA), the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide, the application package, and abstracts of funded projects.

Grants.gov Synopsis Page:
http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do;jsessionid=3JDGTYcRgrGcY991YJ0mvmrMf1nTl1c7tySSQtYLmBHsyK5lJk47!1368593367?oppId=128373&mode=VIEW. This page includes a synopsis of the funding opportunity, a link to the full announcement (RFA) and the application package.

Grants.gov Application Package:
http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/UpdateOffer?id=83470.  This page links to the application instructions and the application package.

Please share this announcement with your networks.

Information about the CYFAR Program can be found here:  http://www.nifa.usda.gov/nea/family/cyfar/cyfar.html

Bonita Williams, Ph.D.
National Program Leader, Vulnerable Populations
Division of Youth and 4-H

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
Office: 202.720.3566
Fax: 202.720.9366
www.nifa.usda.gov
bwilliams@nifa.usda.gov

4-H Update

 Volume 15, Number 7

Dates to Remember:
* Colorado State Fair – August 26 – Sept. 4
* Colorado 4-H Leaders’ Forum, Glenwood Springs, Sept. 2-3
* National 4-H Week, Oct. 2-8Tri River Area 4-H Program Associates Vacancy Announcement

COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION
Extension Program Associates – (4-H Youth Development)
Job #15-11 Full-Time in Mesa County, Grand Junction, CO

Job #16-11 Full-Time in Delta County, Delta, CO

Job #17-11 Half-Time (50%) in Montrose County, Montrose, CO

The purpose of these positions is to provide leadership, guidance and management to the 4-H Youth Development Program in the Tri River Area with a primary responsibility in the applicable county and to work under the supervision of the Area Extension Director.

Application materials, including transcript(s) showing degree(s) conferred, must be RECEIVED no later than Noon Mountain Time 10/26/2011 for full consideration.  Completed Bachelor’s degree required. Complete job description, application process & list of requirements located at: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/coop/jobsmenu.html. CSU conducts background checks on all final candidates.  CSU is an EO/EA/AA Employer.
LM Engineering Post is accepting Student Applications!

If you know of any High School students interested in aerospace, engineering, or robotics they may want to participate in Lockheed Martin’s Engineering Exploring Post.   The Exploring Post is a co-ed program open to students age 14-21 in the Denver Metro Area.    Students and mentors  meet every other Wednesday  September 2011 through May 2012 from 6-8 p.m.  at Lockheed Martin’s Deer Creek Facility.

The program is designed to give students a “behind the scenes” look at aerospace, engineering and technology.  Students will learn about engineering challenges and successes of Lockheed Martin built hardware including  Genesis, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, and Orion from Lockheed Martin program experts.   Activities include: design competitions, project builds, and tours.  At the end of the seven-month program, students complete an aerospace-related final design project with the help of LM mentors and volunteers.

Additional information on the Lockheed Martin Engineer Exploring Post program including registration information can be found on this link:

http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2011/EngineeringExplorersPostFactSheet.pdf

4-H Update

Volume 15, Number 6

Dates to Remember:

* Colorado State Fair – August 26 – Sept. 5
* Colorado 4-H Leaders’ Forum, Glenwood Springs, Sept.30 – Oct. 1

Camp Tobin

I want to let all of you know that CAMP TOBIN registration is open and ready for 4-H members and families to sign up.  Click here to register:  https://www.colorado4h.org/events_opportunities/camptobin/reg/index.asp

Please let your families know about this great opportunity to come and stay at State Fair for a very economical price of $5 a night.  We will also have the cafeteria open on the weekends with great home cooked meals –the ones that your mother or grandmother cooked. Pleaes help us spread the work about CAMP TOBIN and what a great place it is to stay for a great price! In these times of economic stress, CAMP TOBIN is a way for the whole family to come and experience the fair and not put a financial burden on the family budget.�
-  Connie Cecil 

4-H Shooting Sports Update

The summer is well and truly upon us! Fairs either are going strong or soon will be and we are all looking forward to another excellent State 4-H Shooting Sports Contest!

You have recently received instructions on how to enter your State Shoot contestants. I hope the process is working well with all of you. I would like to remind you that the entry deadline for the State Shoot Contest is MONDAY AUGUST 1, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. After that time you will NOT be able to make entries or changes to entries.

If you need to make additions or changes to your county’s contest entries after the registration deadline, you will need to contact Jeramy McNeely, Overall State Shoot Superintendent. Jeramy has indicated to me that he would want all changes in written format and emailed to him for documentation. He will then pass on your changes for processing. His email address is jeramy.mcneely@colostate.edu . His office phone number is 719. 767.5716.

I would like to remind you that any changes or additions made after the deadline is subject to late fees. I would HIGHLY suggest that if you know NOW that you are going to be late getting in your county entries that you contact Jeramy NOW to make arrangements and to save yourself late fees!

As always, if you have questions on the registration process, please let me know and I will try to work with you on it! (perry.brewer@colostate.edu, 719.349.1358 – cell. Please remember that if you go to Darrin Goodman or Joy Bauder with questions on the registration system, they are on duty during the work week and may not feel inclined to be available during the weekends!

Thank you for your time! Have a great summer!
- Perry Brewer

China Radio International

Hey Everyone -

A major press hit this week on China Radio International heard by millions in China as well as distributed internationally. The link to listen to the interview of Richard Tucker where you can also send other people is below.  

http://english.cri.cn/7146/2011/07/12/2702s647914.htm
(best viewed in IE)

4-H Day at the Rockies

Colorado 4-H Day at the Rockies! Come out for an evening at the ballpark and help support Colorado 4-H.  It’s the Colorado Rockies vs. Washington Nationals on Saturday, August 6, 2011- 6:10pm. Prices are $27 for lower level – normally $38.  $5 of each ticket purchased will benefit 4-H!
To purchase tickets visit: https://oss.ticketmaster.com/html/go.htmI?l=EN&t=corockies&o=1219443&g=493
SPECIAL PROMO CODE: 4HDAY

But hurry!  This promo ends on August 1!

2011 Fall Leaders Forum

While summer is a busy time for everyone, I wanted to send this brief promo about the Fall Forum to include in your next newsletter.

It’s time to start thinking about the annual Fall Forum! This annual event is for 4-H Leaders and parents to receive training in a wide variety of topics. Learn about new projects and see old friends and take advantage of a great training opportunity. Each year it travels to a new 4-H district so that it rotates around the state. This year it will be held in Glenwood Springs, September 30 – October 1 with a variety of special activities! Registration will be $25. Complete information and registration details will be available later in the summer!

4-H Update

Volume 15, Number 4

Dates to Remember:

* May 30: University holiday, offices closed
* June 3: Colorado 4-H Foundation 16th Annual Paul Hoshiko Golf Tournament, Windsor, CO
* June 15: National 4-H Conference applications due, State 4-H Office
* June 15: National 4-H Congress recommendations due, State 4-H Office
* June 15:  Youth Leadership and Citizenship applications due, State 4-H Office
* June 17:  Shooting Sports Family Camp, Victor, CO
* June 20-24: State 4-H Conference, CSU Campus, Fort Collins
* June 25 – July 2: Citizenship Washington Focus, Washington, DC

Daniels Fund Scholarship awardees announced!

We are excited to announce this year’s class of Daniels Scholars. As a community-based scholarship program, the Daniels Fund works closely with over 600 Referral Agencies that nominated some 2050 candidates this year. We sincerely wish that we could have provided scholarships to each one of these outstanding young people, but this simply is not possible.

A complete list of all scholarship recipients is posted on the Daniels Fund website, http://www.danielsfund.org/. 

Thank you for all that you do to help encourage and support students applying for the Daniels Scholarship. We are grateful to you for helping us further Bill Daniels’ mission of ‘making life better…one individual at a time.’

Congratulations to you all! – Ellen Butler

Colten Karl Rohleder, Elbert County
Eleanor Marie Stewart, Phillips County
Jordan John Sharpe, Baca County
Lexie Kate Hoskins, Otero County

2011 4-H Japanese Exchange

Below is  a program description for the one-month inbound Japanese exchange.  Japan is planning to send the planned delegation to Colorado.  Please promote this program in your county.  This is one important way we can support the people of Japan in the aftermath of the tragedies which have occurred in the last week.

4-H/JAPANESE EXCHANGE – HOST FAMILIES NEEDED – ONE MONTH

Japanese families need our support more than ever this year in the wake of the recent tragedies which have occurred in Japan.  All three Japanese organizations have reported that they are sending exchangees to the United States during the summer of 2011.

Host families are needed for 65 inbound Japanese boys and girls, ages 12-21, coming to Colorado through the 2011 inbound Colorado-Japan Teen Exchange.  Hosting dates are July 23 – August 18. 

This program is coordinated through Colorado State University and has been running since 1975.

Host families do not need to be a member of 4-H and may reside in urban, suburban, or rural settings throughout Colorado.  They may share a room with their host sibling.  Matches are made on the basis of same sex and close in age, as well as some common interests.  Note:  Host siblings may be as young as nine to match with a 12 year old Japanese participant.

All participants are 100 percent medically covered with 4-H insurance and may participate in host family vacations, camping trips, youth camps.  They are expected to become part of the family, including attending church, helping with household chores, following house rules, and participating in other aspects of US daily life.  The program covers costs for the exchange.  Each participant has his/her own spending money.

Japanese participants will attend an orientation in Denver before going to host families and a debriefing in Denver before returning to Japan. Carpools are planned to transport delegates to homes if host families are not able to pick up or return their exchange student.  Orientation for host families is done in Denver.  In addition, there will be a host family orientation in the Montrose/Grand Junction/Delta area.

Host siblings have the option of traveling to Japan to participate in a four or seven-week exchange while staying with Japanese host families and learning Japanese culture.

HOST FAMILIES NEEDED – 4-H/FLEX EXCHANGE (10 MONTHS) – 2011-2012

Host families are needed for FLEX (Future Leaders Exchange) students. This program is funded by the U.S. State Department to instill democratic principles in exchange participants from the New Independent States (NIS) of the former Soviet Union (now called Eurasia): Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.  Colorado will host five participants, ages 15-18, who will stay with host families and attend high school August 2011 through mid- June 2012.

These delegates are proficient in English, have excellent grades, and speak a minimum of three languages.
They are excited to learn about the United States and share their culture.  Colorado schools have been very receptive to this program due to the high quality of the delegate applications.  55,000 youth apply from these Eurasian countries every year.  1,200 youth are chosen annually to spend 10 months in the United States. 

Since 1993, several thousand students from the NIS have spent one academic year attending schools and living with host families throughout the U.S.  Students are recruited based on English ability, personality factors, social skills, academic achievement and leadership potential.  Prospective students participate in an open, merit-based competition in their home countries and are interviewed by Americans who live in the NIS and work for the American Council of Teachers of Russian.  All students have an extensive orientation to life in America and pursue a full course of study while they are here.  Each country has its own language, culture, history and traditions.  Students and staff where exchange students attend school benefit from learning more about these countries and peoples who were relatively isolated from the rest of the world for nearly 70 years. 

Delegates receive $125/month for personal expenses.  Host families receive $300 initially to assist with “startup” costs.

They are expected to be part of the family:  sharing their culture, learning about the US culture, following house rules, getting good grades in school, helping with household chores, etc.

To review the applications of the delegates available, please contact me for further information.

2011 INBOUND IFYES TO COLORADO – HOST FAMILIES NEEDED

Austria, Daniela Allram, age 19 – July 11 – August 22.  Speaks German, English, and French.  Hobbies are photography, cooking, volunteer fire fighter, and Landjugen (4-H) activities.  Other areas of interest are arts, information technology, and biology.  Father owns a transport company, and mother is an office worker.  She is current attending a higher vocational school.

Germany, Charlotte Schweikart, age 19 – June 20 – September 10.  Speaks German, English, and some French.  Hobbies are friends, yoga, badminton, card and board games, music, reading, and skiing.  Other areas of interest are learning about American culture/people, as well as agriculture in the US.   She is a youth group advisor.   Parents own a winery/30-acre vineyard.  She graduated from school in March and expects to attend a university.

Greece, Katerina  Arzoglou, age 18 – July 12 – August 18.  Speaks Greek and English.  Hobbies are camping, swimming, dancing, walking reading, pets.  Other areas of interest are youth development, agriculture, environment, recreation, culture, horses, landscaping, production of various plants, and animal production.   Father is a plant producer, and mother is a salesperson.  She is currently attending the American Farm School in Greece.

Switzerland, Karin Bartsch, age 20 – June 20 – September 10.  Speaks German and English.  Hobbies are riding horses, walking, and skiing.  Other areas of interest are farming and agriculture.  Parents operate a farm with milk cows.  She is currently a retail assistant and hopes to take over her parents’ farm in the future.

Taiwan, You-Ren Fang (Joyce), age 22.  Speaks Chinese and English.  Hobbies are jazz, classical music, reading.  Other areas of interest are agriculture, agriculture economics and policy, environment, youth development.  She is a 4-H club leader/consultant.  Parents are business owners.  She is currently studying bio-industry communication/development at National Taiwan University.

Inbound IFYEs from Germany, Switzerland, and Taiwan will attend National IFYE Orientation in Wichita, Kansas, prior to arriving in Colorado.  They will also attend State 4-H Conference at CSU June 20-24.

IFYEs generally stay with a host family for two-three weeks.  The goal is for these exchange participants to learn about everyday life in the United States by participating in the homestay experience.  All delegates have medical insurance and personal spending money.

Please contact me at the State 4-H Office for more information regarding these IFYEs; 970-491-2711, Courtney.loflin@colostate.edu
- Courtney Loflin, Colorado 4-H International Programs Coordinator

THE GREATEST SUCCESS OCCURS WHEN FAMILIES TREAT THE DELEGATES AS A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY, RATHER THAN A “GUEST.”

Broomfield County 4-H member Selected for Mongolian Exchange Trip! 

Caitlin Lanzavecchia will be traveling to Mongolia this summer on a Wyoming exchange trip. Selections were based on a written application and also through an interview process. Please read below for further information.

Thirty youth will visit Mongolia through Wyoming 4-H leadership program.

Wyoming State 4-H specialists will shepherd 30 youth and five adult chaperones from eight states to Mongolia this summer in a leadership partnership with the Mongolian 4-H Youth Organization.

Enhancing Global Perspectives in Youth is funded by a $267,434 grant from the United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and administered by the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service. The Mongolian group is in the country’s capital, Ulaanbaatar.

The group will leave June 16 and return July 15.

“The program will provide an opportunity for students to experience firsthand knowledge of foreign cultures and to collaborate on solving global natural resource and environmental issues,” said Warren Crawford, youth development specialist with Wyoming 4-H.  

Kim Reaman, state 4-H volunteer management specialist, will also accompany the group.

 “This type of experience can be life changing and start a young person down the path to being an involved, global citizen,” she said. “My first international experience was through the International 4-H Youth Exchange to Jamaica. I have had a heart for international programs and the effect they have on a young person’s life ever since. ”

Youth were selected through an application and interview process from the 13-state western region of the land-grant universities Cooperative Extension Service. The finalists selected are from Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Reaman and Crawford traveled to Mongolia last September, paid for by the UW College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Global Perspectives program, to provide technical assistance and training for the newly established Mongolian 4-H program.  While in Mongolia, they had many opportunities to develop and lay the groundwork for this exchange program.

“For most of the stay, the students will live with a Mongolian host family and experience the Mongolian way of life,” said Crawford. “While we are there, we will be learning about environmental issues such as renewable energy, water quality and land restoration and reclamation.”

Youth will also participate in community service projects in and around the capital city of Ulaanbaatar.

Participants and their hometowns are:

Alaska – Mariah McCoy, Chugiak; Kira O’Donoghue, Fairbanks; Peter Stortz, adult chaperone, Palmer
Arizona – Christine Mackey, Anik Regan, Tucson
Colorado – Caitlin Lanzavecchia, Broomfield
Idaho – Molly Myers, Boise; Jeannine Sampo and Killian Sampo, Lowman
Oregon – Emily Cackler, Buxton; Nicholas Morales, Medford; Erynne van Zee, Michael Boggess, Samuel Greydanus, Corvallis; Jaden Bales, Imbler; Shelby Worthing, Prineville; Zachary Lauritzen, adult chaperone, Corvallis
Utah – Alexis Schmid, Sandy; Jenessa Gosar, Manila; Z. Quinn Chandler, Ogden; Alicia Christensen, adult chaperone, Salt Lake City
Washington – Miranda Bean, Ridgefield
Wyoming – Jed Christensen, Alta; Melanie Whitmore, Bear River; Wyatt Slagowski, Farson; Rebel Rauterkus, Freedom; Elizabeth Barlow, Gillette; Jessica Grant, Glenrock; Alanna Elder, Rebecca Garner, Laramie; Kristy Armstrong, Lyman; Thomas Shaffer, Pinedale; Zachery Anderson, Thermopolis; Kelly Barlow, adult chaperone, Gillette; Erin Sinclair, adult chaperone, Cheyenne

Congratulations Caitlin!
- Ellen Butler

Award Applications Due

I just wanted to remind all of you about the two awards that the State 4-H Officer sponsor and present at State Conference.  The State 4-H Officer Team is proud to announce that the Outstanding 4-H Leader Award will now be known as the Raleigh Brooks Outstanding Leader Award.  Raleigh will present this award at State Conference.  The outstanding youth award is now the Mile High Outstanding
4-H Youth Leader Award. 

http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2011/4-HSenateOutstandingAdultLeaderNominationForm.doc
http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2011/4-HSenateOutstandingAdultLeaderNominationForm.pdf
http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2011/4-HSenateOutstandingYouthLeaderNominationForm.doc
http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2011/4-HSenateOutstandingYouthLeaderNominationForm.pdf
http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2011/MileHighAwardPoster.pdf
http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2011/WantedPoster-RaleighBrooks.pdf

There are two posters advertising these awards.  The nomination forms are due back to that state 4-H office by June 1^st.

Please honor those hard working volunteer 4-H adult and youth leaders in your county by nominating them for these two awards.
- Connie Cecil

 4-H Social Media Training

Social Media Training – Webinar Series
Join National 4-H Council for its premiere 4-H Social Media webinar series on Wednesdays in May and June.

These interactive and instructive 45-minute tutorials will help you develop social media strategies that create platforms that are engaging, interactive, safe and effective. Built for those who are new to social media, as well as advanced users, this series will help you harness the power of Facebook and Twitter to communicate with a variety of audiences. You’ll learn how to generate content, build community, increase participation and how to do it all in a safe manner for youth and adults alike.

To attend, RSVP to individual sessions in the social media webinar series; we will reply with instructions on how to join the webinar. 

Questions? Contact Ashley Lusk at 4Hmarketing@4-H.org 

- Basic Users

Content Generation- Wednesday, June 1, 2011, 2PM  EST
Generating content can be easy when you use the incredible resources of the 4-H Community. Learn how to build an editorial calendar, schedule your updates in advance using tools like Hootsuite, and how to use eXtension to collect general content for your social media outlets.

- Advanced Users

Online Safety Best Practices-  - Wednesday, June 8, 2011, 2 PM  EST
The best way to build a 4-H network is to create a secure online community for both adults and youth. Social media experts will provide you with an outline of best practices for adult volunteers who may be interacting with youth online, as well as a series of recommended privacy settings to keep youth and adults safe on your pages.

Measuring your Impact- Wednesday,  June 15, 2011, 2 PM  EST
Make sure your efforts are generating the maximum impact. Discover a series of free metric systems including Facebook Insights, Hootsuite and more.

- Connie Cecil

Rocky Mountain Adventure Camp for Military Teens 14-18 FREE!

Attached is a newly revised brochure for the five Rocky Mountain Camps for military teens ages 14-18. This is a $450 experience and free to military teens. Transportation is provided too. This camp is for youth who have a family member active duty, retired National Guard and Reserves or someone in their family who are military, like a brother, sister or uncle. We need your help in getting the word out to the youth as soon as possible – we are not filled up yet!!!  http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2011/RockyMountainAdventureCampBrochure.pdf

Shauna Vail Woods, OMK Program Coordinator – Colorado Military Liaison
Operation: Military Kids

4-H Conference Center DC Tours Accepted by NASSP

Big News! Our Wonders of Washington (WOW) http://www.wowwashington.org/trip/? DC tour program has been accepted by the National Association of Secondary School Principals for the National Advisory List of Student Contests and Activities for 2011-2012.

The purpose of the National Advisory List is to provide information regarding a wide variety of student program opportunities. The Committee reviews all programs based on NASSP developed standards in the following areas: educational, financial, organizational, promotional, adjudication and awards. Programs that, in the opinion of the Committee, meet the guidelines are placed on the National Advisory List.

For over 15 years the WOW program has helped students experience the living classroom of Washington DC while also taking the burden of trip planning off teachers and administrators. Combining DC tours with educational workshops, WOW brings history and government to life for students in grades 6-12.  For more information on the program visit the Wonders of Washington homepage or contact a member of our sales team!

- The Sales & Planning Team, National 4-H Youth Conference Center

2011 National Science Experiment

Announcing the 2011 National Science Experiment: Wired for Wind!

4-H National Headquarters and National 4-H Council are pleased to reveal that the 2011 National Science Experiment is Wired for Wind, an in-depth look at renewable energy technologies in the form of wind-power. Developed by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension program, this three-tiered experiment will help 4-H young people to enhance their science, engineering, technology and applied math skills by allowing them to:

• Design, build and test two different wind turbine models,
• Experiment with variables by examining three different blade pitch angles to determine the effect of pitch on rotor speed,
• Relate their scientific experiences back to their own lives by determining how their communities can harness the power of wind and create a more sustainable and clean energy system, and
• Determine the best location for a potential wind farm in their state or local area by calculating wind power and studying wind data and maps.

This year, 4-H National Youth Science Day will take place on October 5, 2011. On this day, hundreds of thousands of young people across the United States and the world will simultaneously become scientists for a day as they connect important scientific lessons to civic engagement.

4-H youth are a living, breathing, culture-changing movement for doing the right thing, breaking through obstacles and pushing the country forward to successfully face the challenges of the future. Participation in 4-H National Youth Science Day is meant to help spark an early passion for science, engineering and math and to encourage young people to consider these paths of study and future careers.

To learn more about 4-H National Youth Science Day, how you can participate locally or to download program materials, go to www.4-H.org/NYSD

4-H Update

Volume 15, Number 4

Dates to Remember:

* April 12-14: CAE4-HA, Glenwood Springs
* April 14-17: National 4-H Collegiate Conference, Atlanta, GA
* May 1:  4HOnline Youth Enrollment data due
* May 7-14: Western Regional Leaders Forum, Seattle, WA
* May 15:  Host families applications due, State 4-H Office
* May 30:  University holiday, offices closed

Rodeo China Announcement!

The Colorado 4-H program has been asked to take part in an effort to introduce the people of China to the culture of the American West through the art and science of rodeo. In October 2011, an eight-day PRCA rodeo will be held in Beijing, China, at the Bird’s Nest (site of the 2008 Olympic Games).
The Colorado 4-H Program, Colorado FFA, and the National Little Britches Rodeo Association (NLBRA) have been asked to provide youth to travel to China to teach Chinese youth in this effort. The youth component of this project will directly involve American youth teaching rodeo events and livestock handling principles to approximately 3,000 Chinese youth.

Twenty-five Colorado 4-H members will be selected to travel to China on this expense-paid opportunity. 4-H members must be 15 years-of-age or older as of October 1, 2011, to participate in this unique event. Ten adult chaperons will also be selected to assist and travel with the Colorado 4-H Rodeo China team. We are seeking 4-H members and chaperons with the following characteristics:
• Ability to work well in teams
• Interest and/or experience in working with diverse cultures
• Hard working with a positive attitude
• Rodeo and/or livestock experience
Applications are due to the Colorado State 4-H Office by May 15, 2011. The Colorado 4-H Rodeo China team selections will be announced on June 23, during the 2011 Colorado State 4-H Conference being held on the Colorado State University campus in Fort Collins.

Additional information and applications for 4-H members and chaperons can be found at: http://www.colorado4h.org/rodeochina

Rodeo China has a website with basic information at:  www.rodeochina.com

For more information contact Jeff Goodwin at 970.491.6422 or jeff.goodwin@colostate.edu

Please call if you have questions!

2011 4-H Japanese Exchange

Below is  a program description for the one-month inbound Japanese exchange. In spite of the recent disaster in Japan, they are still planning to send a delegation to Colorado.  Please promote this program in your county.  This is one important way we can support the people of Japan in the aftermath of the tragedies which have occurred in the last week.

March 18, 2011: 4-H/JAPANESE EXCHANGE – HOST FAMILIES NEEDED – ONE MONTH

Japanese families need our support more than ever this year in the wake of the recent tragedies which have occurred in Japan.  All three Japanese organizations have reported that they are sending exchangees to the United States during the summer of 2011.

Host families are needed for 65 inbound Japanese boys and girls, ages 12-21, coming to Colorado through the 2011 inbound Colorado-Japan Teen Exchange.  Hosting dates are July 23 – August 18.

This program is coordinated through Colorado State University and has been running since 1975.

Host families do not need to be a member of 4-H and may reside in urban, suburban, or rural settings throughout Colorado.  They may share a room with their host sibling.  Matches are made on the basis of same sex and close in age, as well as some common interests.  Note:  Host siblings may be as young as nine to match with a 12 year old Japanese participant.

All participants are 100 percent medically covered with 4-H insurance and may participate in host family vacations, camping trips, youth camps.  They are expected to become part of the family, including attending church, helping with household chores, following house rules, and participating in other aspects of US daily life.  The program covers costs for the exchange.  Each participant has his/her own spending money.

Japanese participants will attend an orientation in Denver before going to host families and a debriefing in Denver before returning to Japan. Carpools are planned to transport delegates to homes if host families are not able to pick up or return their exchange student.  Orientation for host families is done in Denver.  In addition, there will be a host family orientation in the Montrose/Grand Junction/Delta area.

Host siblings have the option of traveling to Japan to participate in a four or seven-week exchange while staying with Japanese host families and learning Japanese culture.

THE GREATEST SUCCESS OCCURS WHEN FAMILIES TREAT THE DELEGATES AS A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY, RATHER THAN A “GUEST.”
Courtney Loflin, E-mail:  Courtney.loflin@colostate.edu, or call 970.491.2711.

- Ellen Butler

Save Money Shopping and Raise Funds for 4-H

Yes, this can be done with the My Shopping Genie computer program.  The Colorado 4-H Foundation is partnering with My Net Universe to offer this opportunity for Colorado 4-H families and friends.

To use the program go to the Colorado 4-H Foundation web site http://www.co4hfoundation.colostate.edu/shopping.shtml and follow the directions for installing the program.  After the program is installed, each time a search engine (Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc) is used the 4-H Foundation Logo will appear in the lower left hand corner.  Several store names and the words compare, map and deals are also displayed.  Each time a store names or the word “compare” are clicked the best item prices are displayed and the 4-H Foundation receives a small donation.

For more information contact Gary Small at (970)491-1537 or gary.small@colostate.edu Thank you for supporting the Colorado 4-H program.
- Gary Small

Arbor Day Poster Contest 2011

Please click on the links provided for more information about the 2011 Arbor Day Poster Contest!

http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2011/2011-PosterContestMediaRelease.pdf

http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2011/2011-COArborDayPosterContestRules.pdf

- Ellen Butler

100,000 4-H Members Expected to Complete the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award Challenge

WASHINGTON, April 5, 2011 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making a significant commitment to participating in the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award challenge, aiming to have 100,000 4-H members complete the challenge by September 2011. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke today to 300 children and adults at the 2011 National 4-H Conference in Chevy Chase, Md. He recognized the positive influence 4-H membership and programs have in communities throughout the country and encouraged all attendees to make healthy choices.

“Healthy living has been a fundamental principle of 4-H as members ‘pledge their health to better living,’” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “USDA has long been committed to nutrition and healthy living, and I’m looking forward to seeing many 4-H’ers helping us meet – or exceed – our goal. As tomorrow’s leaders, 4-H members have an important role to play in winning the future, starting with a commitment to healthy living.”

4-H strives to equip young people with the knowledge and skills for healthy living that will prepare them physically, emotionally and socially to meet the challenges of the 21st century. 4-H initially committed to this goal during the November 29, 2010, roll-out of the Let’s Move! Faith and Communities Initiative led by First Lady Michelle Obama.

4-H is making this goal a top priority. National 4-H Council and Kraft Foods are offering incentives for each county that sponsors 4-H to encourage local young people to pursue the award. Additionally, during April and May, employees from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), the parent organization to 4-H National Headquarters, will participate with 4-H members, families and volunteers.

The Presidential Active Lifestyle Award recognizes those who log their recommended physical activity for six consecutive weeks, five days a week (60 minutes for kids, 30 minutes for adults). More information about the program and how to get involved is available at http://www.presidentschallenge.org/natl4-H. Let’s Move! is the First Lady’s initiative to solve the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation. Let’s Move! Faith and Communities is designed to support local efforts and highlight accomplishments in communities across the country. The program looks to work with community leaders, learn from what they are doing in neighborhoods, and share those efforts as broadly as possible.

4-H National Headquarters seeks to promote positive youth development, facilitate learning and engage young people with the efforts of USDA and the land-grant universities to enhance quality of life. Nearly 6 million young people, ages 5-19, participate in 4-H youth development programs in all 50 states, territories and military installations worldwide.  More information is available at www.national4-hheadquarters.gov.      

Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and extension programs, USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people’s daily lives and the nation’s future. More information is available at: www.nifa.usda.gov.

http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2011/4H-PALA-FAQ.pdf
http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2011/GroupAdminSheet.pdf
http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2011/Million-PALA-ChallengeCertificate.pdf
http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2011/PALA-SimpleFlyer.pdf
http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2011/PALA-ChallengeInternational.pdf
http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2011/PALA-ChallengeOutside.pdf
http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2011/PALA-KraftPromotionReport.pdf
http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2011/ParticipantInfoSheet.pdf
http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2011/TheMillionPALAChallengeFAQ.pdf

- Ellen Butler

2011 Cowboy Camp 

Every year young horse enthusiasts travel to Fort Collins, Colorado to spend five days at the Colorado State University (CSU) Summer Youth Horsemanship Camp.  The camp is designed to be both an educational and fun experience for youth.  English and Western disciplines are available and are taught by CSU faculty and students.  Each day the campers will experience a combination of riding lessons and lectures on topics such as safety, grooming, nutrition, and horse behavior.  Ice-breakers and additional interactive activities, like swimming and crafts, are also included in the camp.

Two sessions are offered every June (Session One: June 13-18 , 2011 & Session Two: June 19-24, 2011).  Most campers  (restricted to ages 10-15) overnight at the CSU dormitories supervised by counselors.   Meals, transportation, and horse boarding are included for overnight campers. An additional day camp has been made available to campers aged 10-18 who would prefer to drive in each day and make their own accommodation arrangements.  Campers are encouraged to bring their own horses and approximately six CSU horses are available to lease.  Campers should have previous horse experience before attending this camp.

Detailed camp information, including logistics and payment details, are available at www.csuequine.com.  Inquiries and registration forms can be sent to megan.grieve@colostate.edu.   We’re looking forward to another great camp this year… One filled with great horses, good kids, and a ton of memories!

Click on http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2011/2011-CowboyCamp.pdf for further information.

4-H Judging Contests

Elbert County’s Eastern Slope Judging Contests are coming up.
Please forward the entry forms to your judging team coaches.

Eastern Slope Judging Contests

• Livestock Judging Contest on May 7

• Horse Judging Contest on May 14

• Rabbit Judging Contest on June 18

Click on these links for further information:

http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2011/2011-ES-RabbitEntryForms.pdf
http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2011/2011-ES-HorseJudgingEntry.pdf
http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2011/2011-ES-LivestockEntry.pdf

4-H Update

Volume 15, Number 3

Dates to Remember:

* April 1:  State Scholarship applications due
* April 2-7: National 4-H Conference, National 4-H Center, Chevy Chase, MD
* April 12-14: CAE4-HA, Glenwood Springs
* April 14-17: National 4-H Collegiate Conference, Atlanta, GA
* May 1:  4HOnline Youth Enrollment data due

Rodeo China Announcement!

The Colorado 4-H program has been asked to take part in an effort to introduce the people of China to the culture of the American West through the art and science of rodeo. In October 2011, an eight-day PRCA rodeo will be held in Beijing, China, at the Bird’s Nest (site of the 2008 Olympic Games).

The Colorado 4-H Program, Colorado FFA, and the National Little Britches Rodeo Association (NLBRA) have been asked to provide youth to travel to China to teach Chinese youth in this effort. The youth component of this project will directly involve American youth teaching rodeo events and livestock handling principles to approximately 3,000 Chinese youth.

Twenty-five Colorado 4-H members will be selected to travel to China on this expense-paid opportunity. 4-H members must be 15 years-of-age or older as of October 1, 2011, to participate in this unique event. Ten adult chaperons will also be selected to assist and travel with the Colorado 4-H Rodeo China team. We are seeking 4-H members and chaperons with the following characteristics:
•    Ability to work well in teams
•    Interest and/or experience in working with diverse cultures
•    Hard working with a positive attitude
•    Rodeo and/or livestock experience

Applications are due to the Colorado State 4-H Office by May 15, 2011. The Colorado 4-H Rodeo China team selections will be announced on June 23, during the 2011 Colorado State 4-H Conference being held on the Colorado State University campus in Fort Collins.

Additional information and applications for 4-H members and chaperons can be found at: http://www.colorado4h.org/rodeochina

Rodeo China has a website with basic information at:  www.rodeochina.com

For more information contact Jeff Goodwin at 970.491.6422.
- Ellen Butler

4-H Night at the Nuggets

4-H Nights at the Nuggets is Saturday, April 9.  Please be sure to go to the website below to order your tickets. The Nuggets are on a winning streak right now, so this would be a great time to see them!

Remember, this is a contest for the 4-H Districts and that is the only way that we can make your tickets count.  This is what the count looks like so far:  District 11- 22 tickets, District 3- 6 tickets, District 13- 4 tickets.  So get out there and promote your district and make your ticket sales count!

http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2011/4hNightNuggets.pdf
- Connie Cecil

2011 4-H Japanese Exchange

Below is  a program description for the one-month inbound Japanese exchange. In spite of the recent disaster in Japan, they are still planning to send a delegation to Colorado.  Please promote this program in your county.  This is one important way we can support the people of Japan in the aftermath of the tragedies which have occurred in the last week.

March 18, 2011: 4-H/JAPANESE EXCHANGE – HOST FAMILIES NEEDED – ONE MONTH

Japanese families need our support more than ever this year in the wake of the recent tragedies which have occurred in Japan.  All three Japanese organizations have reported that they are sending exchangees to the United States during the summer of 2011.

Host families are needed for 65 inbound Japanese boys and girls, ages 12-21, coming to Colorado through the 2011 inbound Colorado-Japan Teen Exchange.  Hosting dates are July 23 – August 18.

This program is coordinated through Colorado State University and has been running since 1975.

Host families do not need to be a member of 4-H and may reside in urban, suburban, or rural settings throughout Colorado.  They may share a room with their host sibling.  Matches are made on the basis of same sex and close in age, as well as some common interests.  Note:  Host siblings may be as young as nine to match with a 12 year old Japanese participant.

All participants are 100 percent medically covered with 4-H insurance and may participate in host family vacations, camping trips, youth camps.  They are expected to become part of the family, including attending church, helping with household chores, following house rules, and participating in other aspects of US daily life.  The program covers costs for the exchange.  Each participant has his/her own spending money.

Japanese participants will attend an orientation in Denver before going to host families and a debriefing in Denver before returning to Japan. Carpools are planned to transport delegates to homes if host families are not able to pick up or return their exchange student.  Orientation for host families is done in Denver.  In addition, there will be a host family orientation in the Montrose/Grand Junction/Delta area.

Host siblings have the option of traveling to Japan to participate in a four or seven-week exchange while staying with Japanese host families and learning Japanese culture.

THE GREATEST SUCCESS OCCURS WHEN FAMILIES TREAT THE DELEGATES AS A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY, RATHER THAN A “GUEST.”
Courtney Loflin, E-mail:  Courtney.loflin@colostate.edu, or call 970.491.2711.

- Ellen Butler

Save Money Shopping and Raise Funds for 4-H

Yes, this can be done with the My Shopping Genie computer program.  The Colorado 4-H Foundation is partnering with My Net Universe to offer this opportunity for Colorado 4-H families and friends.

To use the program go to the Colorado 4-H Foundation web site http://www.co4hfoundation.colostate.edu/shopping.shtml and follow the directions for installing the program.  After the program is installed, each time a search engine (Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc) is used the 4-H Foundation Logo will appear in the lower left hand corner.  Several store names and the words compare, map and deals are also displayed.  Each time a store names or the word “compare” are clicked the best item prices are displayed and the 4-H Foundation receives a small donation.

For more information contact Gary Small at (970)491-1537 or gary.small@colostate.edu Thank you for supporting the Colorado 4-H program.
- Gary Small

4-H Foundation Scholarship Applications due April 1

The Colorado 4-H Foundation 2011 scholarship application forms must be emailed to bill.gargan@colostate.edu by April 1.  Supporting documents (letters of recommendation and grade transcripts) can be emailed to the same address or sent to: Colorado 4-H Foundation, 4040 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO, 80523-4040.

Each year the Foundation awards 12 scholarships worth over $10,000 to help Colorado 4-H members continue their educations.  Three scholarships are available for any field of study and any institution of higher learning, while others specify majors and schools. Please go to the following website address http://www.co4hfoundation.colostate.edu/scholarships.shtml to see the specific criteria for each scholarship.  For more information contact Bill Gargan at 970.491.2768, bill.gargan@colostate.edu or Gary Small at 970.491.1537, gary.small@colostate.edu.
- Gary Small

Logan County 4-H Position Available

Logan County Extension Office (county-funded position) is seeking to hire a full-time 4-H/youth professional.  Horticulture background and experience desirable.  Apply by April 1, 2011.  To see the full job description and obtain an application go to www.logancountyco.gov.

Click on this link for the position announcement:  http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2011/YouthHorticulturePosition.pdf�
- Ellen Butler

Livestock for Small Acres Webinar Series Free!

Handling Cattle and Other Livestock Webinar March 28, 2011 Noon-1:00 pm MST

Join Temple Grandin, the most influential autistic person in the world, as she discusses animal behavior and handling techniques.  Temple’s professional training  as an animal scientist and her history as a person with autism, gives her a unique perspective on understanding animal behavior.  She will talk about what frightens and distracts animals, offer pointers on fixing small or large handling facilities, how to be safe with bulls, and discuss her insight on animal behavior.  Presented by Dr. Temple Grandin, Professor of Animal Science at CSU, and author of many books including, “Animals In Translation.”

Small Scale Cattle Production Webinar
May 18, 2011
Noon-1:00 pm MST

This introductory course is geared toward small-scale operations and homesteaders. Learn about the various options for beef and dairy production.  We will discuss pros and cons, costs, management needs, challenges, marketing, and more.  Presented by Jason Ahola, CSU Animal Science Associate Professor .

Raising Sheep and Goats Webinar
August 11, 2011
Noon-1:00 pm MST

Basic goat and sheep management will be discussed in this webinar geared for landowners who just started or who are interested in getting started with raising sheep or goats.  Participants will learn about feed and nutrition, health concerns, daily care, costs, housing, and products that sheep and goats produce.  Dr. Nancy Irlbeck, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for College of Agricultural Sciences at CSU, will present this webinar.

Webinars on Pigs, Poultry and Chickens, and Llamas and Alpacas will be announced soon!

Please click on this link for further information:  http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2011/LivestockWebinarSeriesFlyer.pdf

For more information and to register for a webinar contact Jennifer Cook at 303.659.7004 ext.3 or email jennifer.cook@colostate.edu.
- Ellen Butler

National 4-H Dairy Conference

Below are two links for initial information regarding the 2011 National 4-H Dairy Conference (NDC).  We would like as many people as possible to be aware of, and have the chance to participate in, this educational, hands-on experience.

Please note that the first response is for a projected number of participants and for the contact information for your state/province contact person.

Information on the National 4-H Dairy Conference can also be found on-line at http://www.uwex.edu/ces/4h/events/dairyconf/index.cfm.

http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2011/National4hDairyConferece-57th.pdf

http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2011/National4hDairyConferece-Form.doc

Due to scheduling conflicts,  the materials were not sent out in February.  Thus, the response deadline has been extended to April 15, 2011. I apologize for any inconvenience this later mailing may cause you. For further information please contact Peter J. Nordin, 608-262-0575, or email peter.nordin@ces.uwex.edu
- Ellen Butler

2011 Arbor Day Poster Contest 2011

Please click on the links provided below for more information on the 2011 Arbor Day Poster Contest!

http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2011/2011-PosterContestMediaRelease.pdf

http://www.colorado4h.org/Blog/docs/2011/2011-COArborDayPosterContestRules.pdf

- Ellen Butler

4-H Update

Volume 15, Number 2

Dates to Remember:

* April 1:  State Scholarship applications due
* April 2-7: National 4-H Conference, National 4-H Center, Chevy Chase, MD
* April 12-14: CAE4-HA, Glenwood Springs
* April 14-17: National 4-H Collegiate Conference, Atlanta, GA
* May 1:  4HOnline Youth Enrollment data due

Rodeo China Announcement!

The Colorado 4-H program has been asked to take part in an effort to introduce the people of China to the culture of the American West through the art and science of rodeo. In October 2011, an eight-day PRCA rodeo will be held in Beijing, China, at the Bird’s Nest (site of the 2008 Olympic Games).

The Colorado 4-H Program, Colorado FFA, and the National Little Britches Rodeo Association (NLBRA) have been asked to provide youth to travel to China to teach Chinese youth in this effort. The youth component of this project will directly involve American youth teaching rodeo events and livestock handling principles to approximately 3,000 Chinese youth.

Twenty-five Colorado 4-H members will be selected to travel to China on this expense-paid opportunity. 4-H members must be 15 years-of-age or older as of October 1, 2011, to participate in this unique event. Ten adult chaperons will also be selected to assist and travel with the Colorado 4-H Rodeo China team. We are seeking 4-H members and chaperons with the following characteristics:
•    Ability to work well in teams
•    Interest and/or experience in working with diverse cultures
•    Hard working with a positive attitude
•    Rodeo and/or livestock experience

Applications are due to the Colorado State 4-H Office by May 15, 2011. The Colorado 4-H Rodeo China team selections will be announced on June 23, during the 2011 Colorado State 4-H Conference being held on the Colorado State University campus in Fort Collins.

Additional information and applications for 4-H members and chaperons can be found at: http://www.colorado4h.org/rodeochina

Rodeo China has a website with basic information at:  www.rodeochina.com

For more information contact Jeff Goodwin at 970.491.6422 or jeff.goodwin@colostate.edu
- Ellen Butler

Our Condolences to the Sheridan Family

Shane Sheridan is known across Colorado as a long-time 4-H member and current reporting IFYE who returned in December from Austria and Switzerland.  Sadly, his brother, Jay Sheridan, a policeman in Limon, was shot and killed Wednesday night, March 9, while serving a warrant. Jay, 27 years old,  was a six-year  police veteran. Jay was also a long-time 4-H member.  He was married and the father of a young child.  The family has a long time history of 4-H involvement in Elbert County.

The funeral service is scheduled for Tuesday, March 15, 11 a.m., at the Limon High School Gymnasium, 874 F Avenue, Limon.  Public visitation is scheduled for Monday, March 14, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Love Funeral Home, 225 F Avenue, Limon.

Condolences may be sent to Jay’s parents at:

Mary Ann and Tim Sheridan
34000 County Road 94
Simla, Colorado 80835

A 4-H Growing Field Update

Hello Leadership Mentors-

A little over a month ago we met in Denver at the LDC conference and I was so impressed with the confidence and ability of each one of you. You do amaze me! My name is Bobbi Winslow and I’m the project manager for the Growing Field project.

Melissa and Adam have been hard at work on your website and it has been designed based on all of your suggestions from the think tanks. Thank you for being patient with us as we worked to get the site up and going… It is ready to go!!!    Some of you have even logged in and are reporting.  That is fantastic.

We hope you find it is easy to get the information you need to get started on the 4-H Growing Field service project. Sign in and send a thanks to the website team, so they know how much we appreciate their work.

If you haven’t already talked to a teacher to set up a time in the classroom and you need some suggestions, check the website under the heading Leadership Mentors. There are samples of notes you can use for conversation starters. You’ll want to put it in your own words, of course.

Imagine this is the first week after the conference and you’re still excited about getting out into the classrooms. You have a couple of friends who would like to go with you and you call them or talk to them in school.

We’ll hold off on the second book until everyone has a chance to log on and register, you’ve been in the classroom and the teacher has sent their response. Like almost everything else in life, the first time is the most challenging.

Just remember that you can reach me with any questions or comments at bwinslow@growingfield.com.
- Ellen Butler

National Youth Traffic Safety Month

NOYS Member Grants and Award
Through funding from The Allstate Foundation NOYS is offering our member organizations that serve youth an opportunity to apply for grant funds of $2,000 per organization to help fund their efforts to promote National Youth Traffic Safety Month. A total of $12,000 will be awarded in grant funds to member organizations with an average award of $2,000 per organization. Additionally, the member organization who has the most National Youth Traffic Safety Month Act Out Loud entries based on chapter average will be awarded $8,000 for their efforts.

Organizations interested in grant funds should submit a 250 word description of how they will promote National Youth Traffic Safety Month to NOYS at info@noys.org by March 25, 2011. From applications, NOYS will select up to 6 organizations. The first installment of at least $1,000 will be sent to organizations in early April. In June, those organizations will submit a report on what they did to promote National Youth Traffic Safety Month with copies of print or electronic outreach. Upon receipt of the completed report, NOYS will pay the second installment to those organizations.
The $8,000 award for the most Act Out Loud entries will be announced May 1, 2011.

Simple steps:

1. Submit 250 word description by March 25, 2011 describing how your organization will promote National Youth Traffic Safety Month to info@noys.org.
2. Indicate your organization is youth serving and has a national outreach.
3. Promote Act Out Loud! Entry deadline is 12:00 AM ET April 11!
4. Make some NOYS!EPA
- Ellen Butler

4-H Robotics Video Contest!

4-H invites any 4-H group that currently participates in robotics programs or teams to submit a video for the 4-H Robotics Video Contest sponsored by Lockheed Martin and JCPenney Afterschool.
Submissions begin on March 15th and will be entered to win a $1000 grand prize, with $500 prizes for the second and third place teams.

Contest Instructions:
To submit your 4-H robotics team video, visit the 4-H Robotics Contest page located at www.facebook.com/4-H . The video submissions will be put to a community vote on the 4-H Facebook page and the winning club/team with the most votes will receive $1,000, with second and third prize winners receiving $500 respectively.

Video submissions must meet the following criteria to be considered:
•    Video must be between one and three minutes long.
•    All robots in the video must include a visible official 4-H clover.
•    The video title must include the words “4-H” and “robot.”
•    Submissions must show a robot (or multiple robots) that were uniquely created and programmed by a 4-H Robotics group.
•    Submissions must demonstrate the robot’s abilities.
•    Participants must explain, within the video, what they have learned about science, technology, engineering and applied math by doing a 4-H robotics project.
•    The video must be posted on Youtube and shared with National 4-H Council through our Facebook upload module. Videos will not be accepted in other formats or on other platforms.

Resources:
4-H’ers can use the Filmmaking curriculum as a resource for video editing and storyboards, and also make use of Youtube’s new basic editing software.
Prize Eligibility:
•    Videos must be posted by youth ages 13 years or older.
•    Only one video per robotics team or club.
•    Video Submission starts: March 15, 2011
•    Submissions close and the page opens for voting on: March 25, 2011 @ 12:00 PM (EST)
•    Winners will be selected on April 8, 2011.

For National 4-H Council’s 4-H Robotics Contest Official Rules visit: www.4-h.org/4-h-robotics-video-contest/
- Willa Williams

Accepting Applications for Environmental Education Grant Funding

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting grant applications for $1.9 million in funding for environmental education projects and programs. The purpose of the grants is to promote environmental stewardship and help develop knowledgeable and responsible students, teachers and citizens. EPA expects to award at least 20 grants nationwide ranging from a minimum of $15,000 to a maximum of $100,000 and will accept applications until May 2, 2011.

The grants provide financial support for innovative projects that design, demonstrate, and/or disseminate environmental education practices, methods, or techniques. Projects should involve environmental education activities that go beyond disseminating information.

EPA will be hosting two conference calls for potential applicants interested in additional information about the application process. The conference calls will take place on March 21, 2011 at 11 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) and April 6 at 2 p.m. (EDT). To participate in the conference calls, dial: 1-866-379-5082, and use conference ID number: 48699133 for the call on March 21. Use conference ID number: 48696117 for the call on April 6.

The Environmental Education Grant Program provides funding to local education agencies, state education or environmental agencies, colleges or universities, not-for-profit organizations, or noncommercial educational broadcasting entities. Tribal education agencies, which are controlled by an Indian tribe, band or nation, may also apply, including a school or community college.

Since the program began, EPA has provided more than $50 million in funding to more than 3,000 agencies and organizations.

More information on eligibility and application materials: http://www.epa.gov/enviroed/grants.html
- Willa Williams

Front Range 4-H Leather Workshop

A Front Range 4-H Leather Workshop will be held on Saturday, March 26, from 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. at the El Paso County Extension Office in Colorado Springs. Both members are leaders are welcome to attend!

Workshops include:
Beginner – The New Unit 1: Creative Stamping – learn basic basket stamping and how to create a creative pattern.

Intermediate I – Intro to Swivel Knife Techniques

Intermediate II – Lacing: Double Loop & Mexican Round – learn the basics of correct Lacing in Double Loop and Mexican Round Lace

Advanced I – Perspective in Figure Carving – learn how to create perspective in their figure carving.

Advanced II – Hairy Animals – learn how to create “hair” on carved animals.

Each workshop costs $20, which includes lunch.  Registration/health forms can be found on the Extension website at http://elpasoco.colostate.edu/index.htm.  Please contact Tina Davis at 719.573.9483 for more information.
- Ellen Butler

We need YOU for Program Share at CAE4-HA!

The new program you did in the past year or two might be just the one someone else really needs right now. Or, maybe you have a successful program that you have been doing for what seems like forever!  Program Share at the CAE4-HA Conference is a great way for you to share that program with your colleagues.  With all our new staff,, there are going to be lots of folks who will be thrilled with your ideas.  Please share all of your program ideas with your colleagues, because, as we all know, reinventing the wheel consumes valuable time!

Program Share periods will be interspersed throughout the conference, April 12-14.  You can choose either a five or ten minute block to share your program. (Real short, so it won’t take you long to prepare and present!) A table display area will also be available throughout the conference for display materials. Please indicate your preferences for the amount of time and which day you’d like to present your Program Share on your CAE4-HA Conference registration form. For more  Program Share information, contact Christy Fitzpatrick at 970.491.4424 or Christy.Fitzpatrick@colostate.edu or Gary Small 970.491.1537 or Gary.Small@colostate.edu.
- Ellen Butler

4-H Science Updates

Here are some items that might be of interest to you and your 4-H Science members and volunteers.

1. The deadline for submissions to the National 4-H Video Challenge Contest has been extended until April 1.

2. The 4-H Science Research web page that includes reports and brochures about the YEAK (Youth, Engagement, Attitudes and Knowledge) and Science Implementation studies is now live. http://www.4-h.org/about/youth-development-research/science-program-research/

The following opportunities are not affiliated with 4-H. They are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement by 4-H National Headquarters, NIFA or USDA.

1. The Buick Achievers Scholarship, funded by the GM Foundation, is designed to help students who are leaders in both the classroom and their communities, but who may not have the financial means to attend college. The Buick Achievers Scholarship Program will award: Up to $25,000 per year for 100 students or $2,000 per year for 1,000 students. More details about the scholarship program, eligibility rules, and selection criteria can be found at www.buickachievers.com. A PDF is available for download and printing at www.buickachievers.com/flier.

2. United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation Scholarship (USGIF) hopes to inspire students who are interested in all that geospatial has to offer to invest their futures in this incredibly exciting and relevant field of study. Deadline is May 2, 2011. For more information visit http://usgif.org/education/scholarships.

3. Google Science Fair: Google has partnered with NASA, CERN, National Geographic, Scientific American, and LEGO to create a totally new kind of STEM competition: a science fair that is more open, inclusive, and global than ever before. The subject categories are broad and encompass all areas of scientific interest. So whether you teach computer science, chemistry, biology or math, you can encourage your youth to enter. The competition is open to students aged 13 to 18 from around the world working on their own or in a team of two or three. Deadline is April 4, 2011. For more information visit http://www.google.com/events/sciencefair/.

2011 4-H Wild Bug Fish Camp Information

I wanted to let you know that information and registration materials for the 2011 4-H Wild Bug Fish Camp are now available online! This year we will be in the Salida area near Maysville at the Angel of Shavano Campground. Please pass this information on to members or families that may be interested. Remember too that youth do not have to be 4-H Members in order to attend! Use the direct link below to access the information!

http://www.4hfishing.org/2011_wbf_camp.html

If you have any questions on the camp information or accessing the online material, contact Mick (mick.livingston@colostate.edu) or Perry (perry.brewer@colostate.edu) 719.346.5571, extension 302. Thanks for your help in spreading the word. We are looking forward to another GREAT camp this year!
- Perry D. Brewer

$2000 Scholarship for Graduating Seniors

The US Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF) has  a $2000 scholarship available to high school  students who are graduating this year.   This is a good opportunity for any of our 4-H’ers who have been working with GIS & GPS to apply.  The scholarships just opened today and are due May 2nd.

More information can be found at: http://usgif.org/education/scholarships
- Willa Williams